2008 FA Women's Cup final

2008 FA Women's Cup Final

The match programme cover
Event	2007–08 FA Women's Cup
Arsenal Leeds United 4 1
Date	5 May 2008
Venue	City Ground, Nottingham
Player of the Match	Carly Telford [1]
Referee	Saša Ihringová (Shropshire)
Attendance	24,582
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The 2008 FA Women's Cup Final was the 38th final of the FA Women's Cup, England's primary cup competition for women's football teams. It was the 15th final to be held under the direct control of the Football Association (FA). The final was contested between Arsenal and Leeds United at the City Ground on 5 May 2008. It was Arsenal's third successive FA Cup triumph, their ninth in total and their 29th major trophy in just 16 years. ^[2] Leeds made their second final appearance, after losing 5–0 to Arsenal in 2006. The match was attended by a crowd of 24,582.

Match

Summary

Having just sealed their fifth successive Premier League title and having suffered only one defeat in more than two years of domestic football, Arsenal came into the game as favourites. ^[3] Arsenal dominated from start to finish, with Smith and Sanderson both drawing saves from Carly Telford in the opening 10 minutes. Karen Carney was also denied from close range on the quarter-hour mark, while Alex Scott was thwarted by a double save by Telford after Smith had put her through with a defence-splitting pass midway through the first half. ^[4] Leeds' Amanda Barr scored after 32 minutes, but her lob was ruled out for off-side.

Eight minutes after the restart, striker Kelly Smith scored the opener with a 12-yard shot. Six minutes later, Ludlow poked home a 59th-minute effort from close range and within 60 seconds Lianne Sanderson's deflected effort flew into the net as well. ^[5] Leeds' right-winger Jessica Clarke scored with 20 minutes remaining, but Arsenal quickly regained the initiative and almost extended their lead on 72 minutes when Ludlow's header was cleared off the line by Amanda Barr, and Julie Fleeting also came close with 10 minutes to go. Smith tapped in her second goal seven minutes from time after Fleeting's shot had rebounded off a post. ^[1]

Details

5 May 2008

13:00 BST

Arsenal	4–1	Leeds United
Smith 54', 83' Ludlow 59' Sanderson 60'	BBC Report	Clarke 69'

City Ground , Nottingham

Attendance: 24,582

Referee: Saša Ihringová (Shropshire)

GK 1 Emma Byrne DF 2 Alex Scott DF 6 Faye White (c) DF 18 Anita Asante DF 23 Mary Phillip MF 4 Jayne Ludlow MF 7 Ciara Grant  74' MF 14 Karen Carney MF 8 Kelly Smith FW 11 Rachel Yankey  74' FW 9 Lianne Sanderson  74' Substitutes: DF 3 Yvonne Tracy  74' MF 12 Gemma Davison  74' FW 10 Julie Fleeting  74' GK 13 Rebecca Spencer DF 15 Gilly Flaherty Manager: Vic Akers

GK 1 Carly Telford DF 9 Steph Houghton DF 2 Sophie Bradley-Auckland DF 5 Jess Wright (c)  86' DF 17 Alex Culvin  80' MF 18 Sophie Walton MF 14 Jade Moore  60' MF 6 Katie Holtham MF 12 Jessica Clarke FW 16 Amanda Barr FW 8 Sue Smith Substitutes: DF 23 Gemma Bonner  86' MF 20 Olivia Thackray  80' DF 19 Mel Sutcliffe  60' GK 13 Emma Higgins DF 21 Ashley Hutton Manager: Rick Passmoor

References

1. "Smith inspires Arsenal to record ninth cup triumph". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
2. "FA Women's Cup Final - Leeds 1-4 Arsenal". Arsenal.com. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
3. "FA Cup win secures Arsenal Double". BBC. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
4. "Arsenal 4-1 Leeds United". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
5. "Arsenal win record ninth FA Women's Cup". The Telegraph. Retrieved 13 June 2017.