Three is the magic number

The FA Women's Cup Sponsored by E.ON
The Final 2008
1pm, Monday 5 May 2008
The City Ground, Nottingham Forest FC
Live on BBC One

Arsenal ended the season on a high as they cruised to victory, and their third successive FA Women's Cup, with a convincing display to overcome a determined Leeds United who fought the Gunners all the way.

Two goals from Kelly Smith, and further efforts from Jayne Ludlow and Lianne Sanderson put the seal on an emphatic scoreline with Jess Clarke grabbing a consolation for Rick Passmoor's team.

Arsenal dominated the game from start to finish, but Leeds somehow emerged from the first period with their goal intact thanks to a combination of poor finishing and a string of incredible saves from Carly Telford.


The Gunners took a deserved lead after some severe pressure through none other than Kelly Smith. The Arsenal and England forward latched onto a fine through pass to steer the ball past Telford who could do nothing this time.

Six minutes later and Arsenal were two goals up as Jayne Ludlow got on the end of a Rachel Yankey free-kick, and it took less than 60 seconds for Arsenal to make it three. Lianne Sanderson met an Alex Scott cross and her shot deflected up and over Telford, an unfortunate moment for a 'keeper who had performed so well to deny the Gunners for so long.

The game seemed to be up for Leeds, but credit to the Yorkshire outfit. They didn't give in and got their reward with 21 minutes remaining. Sue Smith showed tremendous tenacity to hold up the ball before creating space for an audacious lob over Emma Byrne. The effort crashed back off the upright and Jess Clarke reacted quickest to head home the rebound.

Arsenal didn't allow Leeds to have the final say, however, as substitute Julie Fleeting powered through before her shot came back off the post for a simple tap-in by Kelly Smith.