Gunners grab the double

Arsenal 5-0 Leeds United
The FA Women's Cup in partnership with Nationwide
The Final
1pm, Monday 1 May 2006
The Den, Millwall FC

Arsenal wrapped up a League and Cup double with a dominant display against their northern challengers Leeds, and notched the second highest ever scoreline in a Final of The FA Women's Cup.

They were unable to better the 8-2 margin by which Southampton bettered QPR in 1978, although at times their play threatened to reach beyond the seemingly unattainable benchmark.

With Rachel Yankey in flying form Arsenal created a wealth of chances for their prolific frontline and Leeds will leave Millwall disappointed to come up against opposition in such form.

United failed to deal with the physical strength and pace of the Gunners' attacks, and it was evident for all to see that the north London side were playing embued with renewed confidence fresh from sealing The FA Women's Premier League title a fornight ago.

The first goal certainly took the wind out of the sails of the Yorkshire ladies, coming as it did just three minutes into the game. For Lucy Ward the glorious ocassion of a Cup Final could not have started any worse as she directed the ball into her own net.

Arsenal built on their lead half an hour later when, in the space of 60 seconds, Julie Fleeting and Rachel Yankey scored two well taken goals - Yankey's goal came from a 25-yard free-kick.

Leeds United's keeper Gemma Fay emerged with a great deal of credit despite the heavy defeat, preventing a number of presentable opportunites for Arsenal she remained determined throughout the entire game.

A fitting spectacle to crown another fantastic season for the domestic Women's game, all eyes now look to 11 May when England will take on Hungary in another crucial World Cup qualifier.

Arsenal
Byrne, Scott, Philliip, White, Champ, Ludlow, Smith, Anita Asante, Yankey, Fleeting, Sanderson

Goals Ward og 3, Fleeting 34, Yankey 35, Smith pen 73, Sanderson 77

Leeds United
Fay, Burke, Cook, Preston, Emmanuel, Smith, Walker, Ward, Clarke, Haigh, Culvin

Attendance 13,452