KELLY STARS AS ARSENAL’S LEAGUE CUP TALLY HITS DOUBLE FIGURES 

Arsenal 5 (Smith 3, Scott, S. Grant)
Doncaster Rovers Belles 0

FA Women’s Premier League Cup final
26 February 2009
Glanford Park, Scunthorpe

In the penultimate season of the FA Women’s Premier League Cup (re-branded two years later through the formation of the Women’s Super League), a Kelly Smith-inspired Arsenal trounced their old rivals to lift the trophy for the 10th time in the competition’s to then 18-year history.

Smith’s hat-trick was not only key to the Gunners’ victory but also a parting gift to the club as she and team mate Alex Scott – each of them experienced England internationals – were set to depart for America to join Boston Breakers in the newly formed Women’s Professional Soccer league.

It would be the second time that Smith, one of England’s greatest ever female footballers, had left Arsenal for the USA – but on each occasion she eventually returned to the London club where she established her iconic status.

In her farewell appearance at Scunthorpe United’s Glanford Park her intent was clear from the outset, opening the scoring in the League Cup final after just six minutes and then doubling her tally in the 33rd minute.

Both of those goals were hit from close range, but when she completed her hat-trick 13 minutes after the interval it was with a sweetly struck 20-yard shot.

As if that was not enough, Smith then set up Scott for a farewell goal as the right back latched on to the striker’s pass to shoot home. A standing ovation accompanied Smith off the pitch when she was substituted in the 87th minute. 

The cherry was put on the Arsenal cake by substitute Susanne Grant, who scored a minute from time after racing on to a through-ball by Scottish international Kim Little – who was to become the fulcrum of the team in the seasons that followed England star Smith’s departure.

At the end of the game Smith told TV broadcaster Setanta: “For me and Alex to score in our last game, it's quite an emotional day for us, so we're very happy. 

“I’m going to miss everyone involved with the club. It's been a fantastic four years and I'm sad to be leaving, but excited about the prospect of playing professionally in America.”

Scott added: “I've grown up with the club and it means everything to me. But it's a great club and it will continue to have success without us.”

As Scott predicted, Arsenal did indeed continue along the club’s path of success – but without manager Vic Akers, who retired at the end of that 2008-09 campaign after leading his team to an incredible total of 32 major trophies during the then 18 seasons of the Women’s Premier League.

But at the end of yet another League Cup final victory, Akers was more concerned about the exodus of big players to America. Having already seen Arsenal’s England winger Karen Carney move to Chicago Red Stars, Akers said: “It's a lovely night for the club and in another way disappointing. 

“Let's hope the girls go to America and do well, and still keep English football alive out there. We're going to miss them immensely, though. I think England will miss them. You can't afford to let those sorts of players go. It's just a big disappointment for everyone.”

While Arsenal were celebrating their 10th and what would be their last Premier League Cup triumph, Doncaster were having to come to terms with their third defeat in the final of a competition which they were fated to never win.   

Arsenal (4-2-1-3): Byrne; Scott, C. Grant, Bassett, Fahey; Ludlow (c), Chapman; Little; Davison, Smith (S. Grant 87), Yankey.

Substitutes: Flaherty, S. Grant, Ross, Quantrill, Bruton

Manager: Vic Akers

Doncaster Rovers Belles (4-1-4-1): Hobbs; Weston, Utley, Hughes, Leat; Turner; Heckler, Exley (c), Stevens, Johnson; Williams.

Substitutes: Davies, Farrow, Shaw, Chadwick, Owen.

Manager: John Buckley

Referee: Mr S. Rowntree

Assistant referees: Ms H. Fulcher, Ms E. Everson

RESULTS

Preliminary Round
31/8/2008
Colchester United 5-6 Portsmouth
Newcastle United 1-2 Preston North End
Reading 0-2 Barnet
Sunderland 4-1 Sheffield Wednesday

First Round
14/9/2008
Arsenal 6-1 Charlton Athletic
Blackburn Rovers 7-2 Rotherham United 
Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 Truro City
Bristol Academy 3-0 Keynsham Town
Cardiff City 1-2 WFC Fulham
Chelsea 4-0 Barnet
Everton 2-1 Birmingham City
Leeds Carnegie 1-0 Manchester City
Leicester City 6-2 Aston Villa (AET)
Millwall Lionesses 7-1 Ipswich Town
Nottingham Forest 4-2 Liverpool
OOH Lincoln 3-1 Sunderland (AET)
Preston North End 5-3 Curzon Ashton
Watford 3-0 Crystal Palace
West Ham United 1-2 Portsmouth

21/9/2008
Tranmere Rovers 1-6 Doncaster Rovers Belles

Second Round
5/10/2008
Arsenal 3-1 Everton
Blackburn Rovers 4-4 Portsmouth (AET: Portsmouth won 4-3 on penalties)
Chelsea 3-2 Leeds Carnegie (AET)
OOH Lincoln 2-3 Watford
Preston North End 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion

12/10/2008
Millwall Lionesses 1-3 Leicester City
Nottingham Forest 0-4 Doncaster Rovers Belles
WFC Fulham 4-2 Bristol Academy

Quarter-finals
2/11/2008
Chelsea 3-0 WFC Fulham
Doncaster Rovers Belles 3-0 Watford
Portsmouth 0-1 Preston North End

9/11/2008
Leicester City 1-7 Arsenal

Semi-finals
7/12/2008
Chelsea 0-4 Arsenal
Doncaster Rovers Belles 3-1 Preston North End

Final
26/2/2009
Doncaster Rovers Belles 0-5 Arsenal