Arsenal 4
(Grant 13, Ludlow 15, 90+3, Sanderson 60)
Charlton Athletic 0
5 August 2005
National Hockey Stadium, Milton Keynes
‘OFF-THE-CUFF’ LUDLOW ARSENAL’S SHIELD INSPIRATION
Arsenal manager Vic Akers paid tribute to Jayne Ludlow after the midfielder, playing as a makeshift striker, stole the show with two tremendous goals as the 2004-05 FA Women’s Premier League champions comfortably overcame the FA Women’s Cup winners.
With first-choice strikers Kelly Smith and Julie Fleeting both out of the starting line-up, Wales international Ludlow was paired up front with teenager Lianne Sanderson.
And after midfielder Ciara Grant had opened the scoring, Ludlow struck twice with stunning long-range efforts and Sanderson claimed the Gunners’ other goal.
"Jayne was fantastic," enthused Akers. "She’s an off-the-cuff player - anything can happen with her and tonight she hit two great goals. I couldn’t believe the second one – that was some skill!"
"I shut my eyes," joked Ludlow as she recounted her aerial 18-yard volley that simply flew into the roof of the net.
The midfielder had never played up front before a recent spell in America with W-League team New York Magic.
"They (NY Magic) were short of strikers so I filled in," explained Ludlow. "I learned a few things out there and everything came together for me tonight."
Ludlow’s super strikes came after Grant had opened the scoring in the 13th minute, forcing home the loose ball after her penalty had been blocked by Charlton goalkeeper Pauline Cope.
The lead was doubled two minutes later as Ludlow, latching on to a pass from Sanderson, arrowed her shot beyond Cope and just inside the far post.
Though the Addicks hit back and forced Gunners keeper Emma Byrne into saves either side of half time, the game was put beyond when Sanderson scored from close range on the hour,
And the icing was put on Arsenal’s cake three minutes into stoppage time, Ludlow capping her excellent performance with an 18-yard volley that flew into the Charlton net.
"The girls played to my strengths tonight and I'm glad I made the most of the opportunities,” the delighted two-goal star of the show added.
While Ludlow’s boss Akers was equally delighted, Addicks manager Keith Boanas was far from happy. "I’m very angry," he said. "Katie Chapman (the England midfielder) was outstanding - but we needed another nine like her! There was a lack of passion and desire. Too many heads were down."
"Arsenal looked lean and sharp,” he added, “I was really impressed with them And with Fleeting and Smith to come back, they’ll be formidable. But somebody’s got to compete with them - and I still think we can do it."
