Arsenal

3-0

Everton

Smith 23, Chapman 31, Davison 90

 


The FA Women's Community Shield
Gresty Road, Crewe Alexandra
8.05pm, 02 August 2006

Following their fine Community Shield triumph, Arsenal boss Vic Akers was keen to stress that there are points to work on, but reserved glowing praise for their young English duo Anita Asante and Lianne Sanderson.

Akers said: "Defensively we might not have been as good as we were offensively but there are always things to work on at this stage of the pre-season and the good news is that we still came away with a clean sheet.

"Anita (Asante) showed what a player she is and for England, they must be looking at her and thinking that she could be the automatic choice to go in there as well.

"Her performance was excellent and she was a credit to our club out there, I was really pleased. Faye is a huge loss for ourselves and England but Anita just might be the answer.

"Lianne (Sanderson) was unbelievable and for a girl her age I think she is another who could well make the England lineup for the next game, you never know.

"She is a release at times and can hold up the ball extremely well which is such a wonderful option to have. She improves with every game she plays."

Everton's boss Mo Marley admitted that her side struggled to cope in the first period, but was impressed with the second half recovery.

She said: "For me it took us 45 minutes to wake up really and we had our backs to the wall in the first half. We were not really doing the things we should be doing on the pitch and there were a few words said at half time.

"Overall I am quite happy with the second half, that was a bit more of what we are about but we lost the game in the first half it was as simple as that.

"I thought they were sharper than they we were and I am glad those mistakes have come now rather than in a league game or a Cup game, we'll learn from it and this was the game to do that."

Kelly Smith's long-range effort dipped in for the opener, while debutant Katie Chapman bundled in the second. "It was great to get a goal to get me back on the scoresheet,'' said Chapman.

Fellow England international Karen Carney also made her debut, and added: "The team did well and we won, we've got to go on from this and we can do a lot better.''

Lianne Sanderson had a chance early in the second half but failed to round the goalkeeper, with Arsenal holding on comfortably for the victory and extending their lead in injury time.

Gemma Davison tapped in following a mix-up in the Everton defence as Arsenal lifted their first silverware of the season.

Smith added: "We're obviously delighted to win the game and score three goals, we had a few heavy legs after a trip to Germany but we came through it.''