Shield win is spot on for Fulham

Fulham win 5-3 on penalties  

Fulham keeper Astrid Johannessen made the decisive save that saw Fulham win 3-1 on penalties in a pulsating Community Shield at Brisbane Road, but the professional outfit were pushed all the way by a lively Arsenal side who produced a fine display.

And if this game is to be a marker for the rest of the season, then this year's FA Nationwide Women's Premier League promises to be a classic. Although Fulham ended up eventual winners, it was the Gunners who looked the more dangerous side and they possessed the undoubted star of the show.

Nineteen year old Ellen Maggs produced a sensational display, including two memorable goals, and the England Under-19 international was a constant threat to Fulham's lethargic defence. She was by some distance the best player on the pitch and it was her goals that twice saw the Gunners come from behind. The first was a bullet header into the top corner following good work on the right by Jayne Ludlow, the second was a beautiful curling effort into the top corner from just inside the area.

It was the perfect send off for Maggs who joins up with the England Under-19 squad today bound for Canada, where they will compete in the inaugural World Championships at youth level. If Maggs can take this form into that tournament then the rest of the world better watch out. And the young England star was happy with her performance and especially her goals.

"Believe or not in pre-season I haven't actually scored but I scored one with my head and one with my left foot today so I can't complain. Everybody keeps telling me this is my season and everything was just working for me today."

The first ten minutes, however, saw Fulham get off to an explosive start and it looked like they were going to overpower Arsenal. They were one up within 44 seconds, Rachel Unitt crossing for Sanchia Duncan to steal in front of Leanne Champ to fire home. Nine minutes later Maggs put Arsenal level but the Cottagers regained the lead on 11 minutes when the unusually quiet England star Katie Chapman intercepted a Ciara Grant pass before advancing to the edge of the area unchallenged and unleashing an unstoppable left foot shot into the bottom corner.

After this frantic opening, the game settled down and Arsenal began to boss the match, knocking Fulham out of their stride. Fulham's new signing Una Nwajei, who scored seven goals in the PFA tournament at the weekend, hardly got a kick and the dangerous Rachel Yankey was being marshalled superbly by Kirsty Pealling.

Maggs was a constant threat throughout and Fulham centre halves Mary Phillip and Katrine Pedersen would have been relieved to see the back of the energetic striker. They simply couldn't deal with her intelligent movement and superb touch and everything good that Arsenal produced came through the pacy striker. Just moments after half time, while Fulham were still digesting their half time oranges, Maggs was straight back in top gear finding Clare Wheatley, but her weak shot was straight at Johannessen. On 52 minutes, new Arsenal signing Ayshea Martyn, who only completed her move in the morning before the game, did well down the left and produced a marvellous cut back but Maggs could not keep her half volley down.

Further great play by Maggs after 66 minutes should have led to the Arsenal equaliser but her whipped cross was blasted over by substitute Julie Fletcher. However, Arsenal only had to wait eight minutes before Maggs' sweet strike drew them level.

The game was moving towards penalties when, deep into stoppage time, Maggs came desperately close to grabbing her hat-trick and earning Arsenal a deserved victory. She was put through by Fletcher and found herself one on one with Johannessen but her fierce strike was touched agonisingly wide by the outstretched Fulham keeper.

And so the game moved to penalties where Fulham held their nerve to earn their first silverware of the season. Only Leanne Champ of the four Arsenal penalty takers managed to find the back of the net and that cost them dear. It was left to Johannessen to save Faye Whites' penalty, sparking off the Fulham celebrations.

After the game, Fulham's victorious manager Gaute Haugenes had mixed emotions after his side's penalty shoot-out victory. He said: "I was pleased with the results but not the performance, especially in the second half.

"However it's always nice to win a trophy and the win was important for me. I haven't lost a game as manager yet."

Vic Akers, Arsenal's manager, was very pleased with his side and especially Ellen Maggs.

"She's got a super touch and she can score goals. The girls came back, they fought hard and we should have won the game. In the end we haven't lost anything tonight and we have gained a lot of friends."

With the Community Shield being merely the hors d'oueve to the new season, it left us drooling as to what will be served up for the main course when the season really gets going next week.

Ben Rice

Arsenal: Emma Byrne; Kirsty Pealling; Pauline McDonald; Jayne Ludlow; Faye White; Sian Williams (c); Ellen Maggs; Ciara Grant; Clare Wheatley; Ayshea Martyn (Julie Fletcher, 61).
Subs not used: Jo Price; Yvonne Tracy; Emma Pond; Sheuneen Ta.

Fulham: Astrid Hitland-Johannessen; Kim Jerray-Silver (Kristy Moore, 61); Rachel McArthur; Rachel Unitt (Deena Rahman, 77); Mary Phillip; Katie Chapman (c); Margunn Haugenes; Sanchia Duncan; Rachel Yankey; Katrine Pedersen; Una Nwajei.
Subs not used: Ronnie Gibbons; Jody Smith

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