Arsenal

1-2

Charlton Athletic

Julie Fleeting 76

 

Eni Aluko 28, 45


The FA Nationwide Women's Premier League Cup Final
5 March 2006
Wycombe Wanderers FC

Victorious Charlton manager Keith Boanas revealed an unlikely source of inspiration after guiding his side to The FA Women's Premier League Cup - Joe Calzaghe.

The jubilant Addicks boss stayed up to the early hours to watch the Welsh super-middleweight spectacularly dismantle American Jeff Lacy, then told his side to do the same to Arsenal just a few hours later.

"I was sitting up in the early hours watching the Calzaghe fight and thinking 'we have to be scrapping as hard as he is tomorrow'," said Boanas.

And how his side responded, fighting tooth and nail to protect their lead and ensure their name was on the trophy for the second time in three years. It was the first time Arsenal have lost a cup final in normal time.

"The personal battles were won," he added. "We knew they would come at us in the second half and we soaked it up. I'm proud of them."

Boanas then paid a sparkling tribute to his match-winner Eniola Aluko, insisting that she is good enough to help England win the World Cup.

"The stage was set by Eni. She is a World Cup winner. It's not just her pace, the two goals were clinical - that sets the standard."

"I'm delighted, over the moon," added Aluko, clutching her player of the match medal. "I'm really pleased with the way we defended. I just proud to be part of the team.

"A lot of people doubted us, it's so sweet to win and show people we can do it. We believed in ourselves. It shows how far belief can go."