2007 FA Women's Cup final

2007 FA Women's Cup Final

The match programme cover
Event	2006–07 FA Women's Cup
Charlton Athletic Arsenal 1 4
Date	7 May 2007
Venue	City Ground, Nottingham
Referee	Anthony Bates (Staffordshire)
Attendance	24,529
← 2006 2008 →

The 2007 FA Women's Cup Final was the 37th final of the FA Women's Cup, England's primary cup competition for women's football teams. It was the 14th final to be held under the direct control of the Football Association (FA). The final was contested between Arsenal and Charlton Athletic at the City Ground on 7 May 2007. Arsenal won the game 4–1 to secure their second successive FA Cup triumph and their eight in total. The match was attended by a crowd of 24,529 ^[1] and was broadcast live on BBC One. ^[2]

Match

Arsenal parade the trophy

Summary

Already winners of the UEFA Women's Cup, FA Women's Premier League National Division and the FA Women's Premier League Cup, Arsenal, managed by Vic Akers, ^[3] came into the game as favourites. Meanwhile Charlton Athletic, managed by Keith Boanas, came through a hard fought semi-final against Blackburn Rovers, with Natasha Dowie scoring the only goal, to make it to their second final. ^[2]

Charlton Athletic were given the dream start after just two minutes of play, as Eniola Aluko's low cross was slotted in at the far post by Katie Holtham. ^[4] Arsenal were level within five minutes, as Kelly Smith curled home a 25-yard free-kick after being hacked down by Charlton's right-back Maria Bertelli. ^[5] The Gunners were in front by the quarter hour after winning a free kick near the corner flag: Jayne Ludlow was the quickest to get to Lianne Sanderson's near post cross and she steered her shot underneath goalkeeper Toni-Anne Wayne. ^[4] Ludlow then claimed her second goal in first-half stoppage-time with a 30-yard strike which flew into the top corner of the net. ^[5]

Charlton's best chance of the second half came when Aluko broke away and shot through Emma Byrne's legs, but the shot was diverted wide of the post by the goalkeeper's leg. ^[6] Meanwhile, the Gunners had plenty of chances to further their lead, ^[7] but the fourth goal came when Smith curled in a shot nine minutes from time, wrapping up a record-equalling eighth FA Cup win. ^[5]

Details

7 May 2007

Charlton Athletic	1–4	Arsenal
Holtham 2'	Report	Smith 7', 80' Ludlow 15', 45'

City Ground, Nottingham

Attendance: 24,529

Referee: Anthony Bates (Staffordshire)

GK 13 Toni-Anne Wayne DF 2 Casey Stoney (c) DF 5 Karen Hills DF 17 Sinead Boyer DF 7 Danielle Murphy MF 6 Maria Bertelli MF 14 Jessica Smith  70' MF 4 Katie Holtham  83' MF 11 Josanne Potter FW 10 Natasha Dowie  83' FW 9 Eniola Aluko Substitutes: FW 8 Ashlee Hincks  70' DF 15 Natasha Hughes  83' FW 12 Ann-Marie Heatherson  83' DF 3 Michelle Hickmott GK 1 Pauline Cope Manager: Keith Boanas

GK 1 Emma Byrne DF 12 Alex Scott DF 23 Mary Phillip DF 18 Anita Asante FW 9 Lianne Sanderson  63' MF 17 Katie Chapman MF 4 Jayne Ludlow (c) MF 7 Ciara Grant MF 11 Rachel Yankey FW 10 Julie Fleeting  76' FW 8 Kelly Smith Substitutes: MF 14 Karen Carney  63' MF 20 Gemma Davison  76' DF 6 Faye White MF 16 Sian Larkin GK 24 Rebecca Spencer Manager: Vic Akers

References

1. "Arsenal clinch quadruple". The Football Association. 7 May 2007. Archived from the original on 14 March 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
2. "2007 FA Women's Cup final live on BBC One". BBC. 3 May 2007. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
3. "Akers to stay on as Arsenal coach". BBC Sport. 7 May 2007. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
4. "Arsenal complete the Grand Slam". Women's Soccer Scene. 8 May 2007. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
5. "Managers call for Wembley to host final after Gunners wrap up historic quadruple". The Guardian. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
6. "FA Cup Final: Charlton 1-4 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. 7 May 2007. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
7. "Arsenal Ladies 4-1 Charlton Women". BBC Sport. 7 May 2007. Retrieved 15 July 2018.