Arsenal

5-0

Leeds United

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

 

 


The FA Women's Cup Final in partnership with Nationwide
1pm, Monday 01 May 2006
Millwall FC

Arsenal Ladies sealed their seventh FA Women’s Cup victory at The Den with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Leeds United, as Vic Akers’ side completed another domestic double.

In front of the second highest ever crowd - 13,452 - for the end of season showpiece, TheFA.com spoke to both Managers and two of the players as they reflected on the game.
Julie Chipchase – Leeds United Manager

"All the talk before the game was about stressing the importance of not conceding an early goal. Then with just 2 minutes and 40 seconds on the clock we score an own goal and it really knocked the stuffing out of us.

"After that we needed a period of possession to settle the girls down but we just couldn’t get our foot on the ball.

"That was the real disappointment for me; that the quality of our passing wasn’t good enough. We set out to play a 4-3-3 formation which would revert to 4-5-1 when we were defending, but we never gave Karen Walker a chance to get into the game and she ended up being too isolated up front.

"We came up against Arsenal today at their best, whilst we were nowhere near our best. We tried to stop them by putting a marker on Kelly Smith and trying to get tight to ‘Yanks’, but then other players stepped up to hurt us."
Karen Walker – Leeds United

"Today was difficult for me and I felt that I didn’t get anywhere near involved enough. I wouldn’t criticise any of my team-mates, but I was living off scraps.

"When you consider that a club of our stature, with players aged just 16 and 17 even reached the Final, it is a fantastic achievement, and a huge learning experience for these kids, who will hopefully be back again.

"For me, I just felt devastated at the final whistle, as it suddenly dawned on me that [with the exception of our last league game this season, if selected] today was the end of my playing career.

"I’m 37 and as you’d expect I’ve had my fair share of highs, and lows like today. But when I first started playing, if someone had told me that I’d play in twelve Cup Finals, score a cup final hat-trick, play for my country and also captain my country, I’d never have believed them.

"I retire with no regrets from the game, and I think you’re very lucky if you can bow out and genuinely mean that."
Vic Akers – Arsenal Manager

"We played very well today and created an awful lot of chances. You could argue we didn’t take anywhere near as many as we should have, but we maintained the record that means Arsenal have never lost an FA Women’s Cup Final.

"The first goal settled us down and our plan was to get in their faces early, to try and unsettle them.

"I’m fortunate that I’m surrounded by top class players and we are also well supported by the club.

"Thierry [Henry] texted me before the game to wish us all good luck and I’m grateful to the club for allowing me to work with the team today, with my son working as Kit Manager with the men’s team at Sunderland.

"I’ve been arguing for a few months that Lianne [Sanderson] should earn an England Senior call-up and she showed today that she could be a future England regular for years to come with a very mature display, rewarded with the Nationwide Player of the Match."
Lianne Sanderson – Arsenal

"I’ve been at Arsenal since I was nine years old, and it is amazing to play in these games. Last week I was in Romania playing for England’s U19s and so the three games meant I was up to match speed.

"The win today has capped a great week. My Dad texted me on Tuesday to tell me I’d got my first England call-up for the Hungary game at Southampton on 11 May.
"I’ve not had time to let it all sink in, but over the next couple of days, I’ll be putting my feet up, and then focusing my energies on hopefully being involved in a World Cup qualifier."