2007 FA Women's Cup final

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]

2007 FA Women's Cup Final
Event2006–07 FA Women's Cup
Date7 May 2007
VenueCity Ground, Nottingham
RefereeAnthony Bates (Staffordshire)
Attendance24,529
2006
2008

Match

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Arsenal parade the trophy

Summary

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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

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Arsenal4–1Charlton Athletic
Smith   7', 80'
Ludlow   15', 45'
BBC Report Holtham   2'
Attendance: 24,529
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
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

References

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  1. ^ "Arsenal clinch quadruple". The Football Association. 7 May 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-03-14. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  2. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "Arsenal complete the Grand Slam". Women's Soccer Scene. 8 May 2007. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ^ a b c "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.