Arsenal

3-1

Fulham

Sanderson 38

 

McArthur 85

Fleeting 53
Maggs 90

 

 


Women's Premier League,
Highbury
Saturday, 15 May 2004

Cheered on by a crowd of almost 5,000 at Highbury, Arsenal beat Fulham 3-1 to win the most closely contested three-horse title race in the history of the FA Nationwide Women’s Premier League.

Victory for either side would have given them the championship, while a draw would have handed the League crown to long-time leaders Charlton Athletic – several of whose players were in attendance at the decisive game.

But four hours after Arsene Wenger’s Gunners had been presented with the Premiership trophy on the Highbury pitch, the Arsenal celebrations continued as the women’s team completed a memorable FA Cup and League double.

Wenger himself, along with his captain Patrick Vieira, had stayed on after their own game to watch from the stands and they were not disappointed on a historic day for the all-conquering Gunners.

Just as in the 3-0 Cup final win against Charlton, striker Julie Fleeting was the Arsenal inspiration even though she went into the match nursing the calf injury which had failed to prevent her from scoring a hat-trick against the Addicks.

The Scotland star had not trained since the Cup final, but 10 days of treatment paid off as she scored one of the goals and had a hand in each of the others as the Gunners completed their third title triumph in four years.

Lianne Sanderson opened the scoring in the 38th minute and Fleeting added the second goal – her 16th in 10 games - eight minutes after the break. But a thrilling finale was set up when Rachel McArthur pulled a goal back five minutes from time.

The Charlton contingent in the crowd were praying for an equaliser while Fulham’s fans were hoping against hope for two further goals by the Cottagers – but instead Ellen Maggs put the issue beyond doubt with a stoppage time victory-clincher.

So Arsenal collected their 19th major trophy in 18 seasons and manager Vic Akers said: "We deserved to win the League for our play since Christmas and tonight we did everything we needed to in front of a very appreciative crowd.

"It’s a great day for the club and it was fantastic that people like Mr Wenger and Patrick Vieira stayed to support the girls – it just shows that the women’s team is seen as an integral part of the club."

Fulham’s defeat meant that last year’s treble winners ended the 2003-04 campaign empty handed, but manager Marieanne Spacey was defiant as well as disappointed as she reflected on her team’s season.

The former Arsenal and England striker said: "We reached the final of the League Cup, the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup and were in with a chance of winning the League right up to the last match, so it’s not been an unsuccessful season.

"It’s obviously disappointing not to have won anything, but after losing our professional status and several players the team have done well – we’ve learned a lot and we’ll be putting those lessons into practise next season."