05 August 2005
Arsenal 4-0 Charlton Athletic: Highlights

Highlights of Arsenal's 4-0 FA Women's Community Shield win over London rivals and FA Women's Cup winners Charlton Athletic.

Arsenal

4-0

Charlton Athletic

Grant 13
Ludlow 15, 90
Sanderson 60

 

 


FA Women's Community Shield
National Hockey Stadium, Milton Keynes
04 August 2005 

Wales midfielder Jayne Ludlow bagged a spectacular brace as Arsenal kicked off the new campaign with a morale-boosting victory over their big London rivals in the annual curtain raiser to the season.

The Gunners, FA Women's Premier League champions for the fourth time in five seasons, were on top from the time they hit two goals in quick succession early in the first half.

But with both sides below full strength due to the unavailability of key players, the game gave few pointers as to how the 2005-06 season might develop.

Each of the teams will undoubtedly again figure in the hunt for major honours, however, and though Charlton were second best on the night the FA Cup winners created enough dangerous moments to suggest they will be Arsenal’s main challengers for their League crown.

In an even opening spell of a game played in front of a record attendance for the Community Shield, goals might have come at either end.

But the Gunners took control with a quick-fire burst courtesy Ciara Grant and Ludlow – both of whom, ironically, were linked with close season moves to Charlton.

Grant saw her 13th minute penalty, awarded for a foul on Arsenal new girl Rachel McArthur, blocked by keeper Pauline Cope – but from the rebound the Republic of Ireland midfielder drilled the ball into the roof of the net.

Two minutes later Ludlow, racing on to a Lianne Sanderson pass, outstripped central defender Casey Stoney before sending an excellent 25 yard shot just inside Cope’s far post.

Ludlow went close to a second goal with a low 18th minute shot which flew just wide, then right winger Kirsty Pealling had a 15 yard effort turned for a corner by Cope.

Arsenal were in complete control at this stage, but the Addicks hit back tenaciously and after midfielder Katie Chapman’s 27th minute strike had been saved on the line by Emma Byrne, the Eire keeper had to tip a cleverly flighted Stoney free-kick over the bar three minutes before the interval.

After making three half-time substitutions Charlton threatened briefly in the early stages of the second period.

But on the hour their challenge was effectively killed off as Sanderson hit Arsenal’s third goal with a close range shot from McArthur’s corner.

The Addicks continued battling though, and twice in the closing stages Byrne had to make good saves from powerful Chapman headers.

But Ludlow capped a fine night for the Gunners when, three minutes into stoppage time, she hammered a glorious 18 yard volley into the roof of the net.

Arsenal (4-4-2): Emma Byrne; Yvonne Tracy, Faye White, Mary Phillip, Leanne Champ; Kirsty Pealling (Gemma Davidson, 32), Rachel McArthur, Anita Asante, Ciara Grant; Lianne Sanderson, Jayne Ludlow.
Subs not used: Lauren Wells, Cori Daniels, Lisa Burrows, Kelly Smith.

Charlton Athletic (4-3-3): Pauline Cope (Ebony Cabey-Gooden, HT); Karen Hills, Casey Stoney, Sarah Wooliscroft (Emma Coss, HT), Dominique Sinclair-Chambers; Alexa Hunn, Sian Williams (Maria Bertelli, HT), Katie Chapman; Danielle Murphy, Eniola Aluko, Gemma Ritchie.
Subs not used: Carmaine Walker, Kimberley Dixson.

Referee: Ms A Rayner

Attendance: 2,613