Black Cats make history

Sunderland 3-0 Chelsea
The FA Women’s Cup sponsored by E.ON
Semi-Final
2pm, Sunday 22 March 2009
Stadium of Light, Sunderland AFC

Sunderland made it through to their first-ever FA Women's Cup Final after a sensational victory against Chelsea.

Sophie Williams was the Black Cats' heroine after her two goals set up a mouth-watering Final against Arsenal.

Arsenal may be the best side in the country, but they should be very wary of Mick Mulhern's team - Sunderland have scored 22 goals en route to their first Final and out-played Chelsea in an entertaining Semi-Final clash.

Neither side could force the breakthrough in the first half as the sense of occasion got to both sets of players, but Sunderland finally opened the scoring 20 minutes from time.

Natalie Gutteridge pounced from close range to fire her side ahead and then Williams grabbed the first of her two goals thanks to good work from Demi Stokes.

Williams then sparked joyous scenes at the Stadium of Light after he lobbed the ball home at the death as the Wearsiders romped to victory.

And club secretary Susan Bannon has fired a warning to Arsenal ahead of The Final showdown. She said: "Nobody gave us a chance against Chelsea and earlier on in The Cup - we are full of confidence," she said.

"Arsenal may be the best team in the country but we are capable of winning."

Goals
Sunderland
Gutteridge, Williams (2)