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Womens League Cup Final 2006
Eniola Aluko proved to be the difference between the sides as Charlton Athletic Ladies upset the odds to beat Arsenal Ladies to the FA Premier League Cup at Wycombe's Causeway Stadium today. Arsenal Ladies certainly had the better of the game and created more chances but, for once, were less than ruthless in front of goal whereas Aluko bagged two goals from her restricted chances. Her cool finishing settled a gripping match played before a crowd of 3,506, a record for the competition. The opening exchanges were relatively tame as both sides eased their way into the game. Aluko and Jo Potter were off target with half chances for Charlton while Kelly Smith went closer for Arsenal, still without testing the keeper, however. It was Smith who did most to stir the game into life with a series of dangerous runs at the heart of the Charlton defence and once the tempo had been increased it seldom slackened. Arsenal were holding sway but Charlton were obviously not going to surrender easily. Their defending was brave and resolute as they restricted the Gunners to mainly half chances. Katie Chapman set the standard with a last ditch challenge on Smith and her colleagues responded in kind. When Arsenal did fashion their best opening Smith, surprisingly, was not involved. Instead it was Lianne Sanderson who supplied a superb ball to send Jayne Ludlow striding through from midfield. Ludlow had the option of squaring but was in a fine position herself and chose to shoot. She was badly off target with her attempt. Rachel Yankey then tried an ambitious attempt from distance but again Pauline Cope in the Charlton goal could watch it pass safely off target. For all Arsenal's pressing and possession Cope's gloves were still clean. Julie Fleeting looked to be away only for another fine block, this time from Michelle Hickmott, to deny her before Charlton managed to counter. Aluko went down as she tried to sprint clear of Faye White but the penalty appeals were ignored by the referee. Minutes later, however, Aluko's pace did bring her an opening. Casey Stoney sent a long ball out of defence and Aluko managed to touch it beyond Mary Phillip who was then completely exposed by Aluko's speed. Running on to the bouncing ball the England striker sent a precise lob over the advancing Emma Byrne and Charlton were in front. Another strong surge from Smith had to be brought to an illegal end on the edge of the area but her resulting free kick was tame and easily cleared by the Charlton wall. As Arsenal increased the pressure, however, Pauline Cope was finally called into action. Fleeting tested her at the near post but the save was comfortable. When Sanderson then sent a stinging drive towards goal Cope was at full stretch to produce an excellent parry. Rachel Yankey was on to the rebound but could not force the ball home from a prohibitive angle. With Charlton probably hoping to protect their lead until half time they were suddenly handed a massive boost in first half stoppage time. Alex Scott was caught in possession by Sarah Snare who instantly sent Aluko racing away. Mary Phillip was again left in her slipstream as she burst clear to calmly slot beyond Byrne to double her sides lead. Half Time: Arsenal Ladies 0 Charlton Athletic Ladies 2 There would be an Arsenal onslaught in the second half but it did not start immediately. Indeed Charlton almost wrapped things up shortly after the break when a splendid deep cross from Potter located Amanda Barr lurking at the far post. Barr's volley was well hit but flashed wide at the near post. Then Casey Stoney caught one nicely from long range but Emma Byrne could watch it sail behind. Having regained the initiative, however, Arsenal now began to totally dominate and Charlton spent the remainder of the game soaking up tremendous pressure. Julie Fleeting was denied by another excellent Cope save after she sent a header low towards the corner from Yvonne Tracy's centre and again Rachel Yankey was smothered as she looked to convert from the rebound. Jayne Ludlow was narrowly off target with another presentable opportunity as anxiety began to creep into the favourites efforts. Yet another run from Kelly Smith took her through the middle of the Charlton defence but, under pressure, she could not get sufficient power in her shot to beat Cope. Despite surrendering this chance Karen Hills and Maria Bertelli, in an unaccustomed role, had been heroic at the heart of the Charlton back four. The whole Charlton side were fighting the cause by this stage though and the game was absolute one way traffic. The goal Arsenal so desperately needed finally arrived fifteen minutes from time and ensured that Charlton's resolve would be tested to the full. Ludlow and Anita Asante worked the opening well and Julie Fleeting finally found a way past Cope with a clinical drive from twelve yards. The pressure continued but became increasingly frantic as each minute slipped away. Lianne Sanderson was denied by another flying block, this time from Michelle Hickmott who was another who had performed above and beyond the call of duty. Arsenal's last fling saw Fleeting tumble in the area but to howls of displeasure the referee decided nothing amiss had taken place and Charlton were able to hang on for a famous victory. There was no denying that Arsenal had dominated most of the game and had had the lions share of the chances and possession. Of the many potential match winners on display, however, Eni Aluko had delivered when it mattered most and it was therefore hard to argue that Charlton were not deserving winners. After all, it was inevitable that Arsenal would dominate after having gone behind. One slight cloud on Charlton's, and England's, horizon was Aluko's late withdrawal from the action as she began to feel the hamstring which has been troubling her in the past few weeks. It hardly comes as a surprise that Aluko's hammies feel the strain a bit when you see her in full flight but her well being is vital for both club and country and the next few weeks will afford her little time to rest. Despite the massive schedule she is faced with she needs to be a little careful in what she takes on. This was no time to be worrying about such things, however, and perhaps the brightest smile in football was well in evidence as her side collected the trophy and she was presented with the Woman of the Match award. There was less good humour in the Arsenal camp and Vic Akers was, predictably, unhappy with the decision to refuse the late Arsenal penalty appeal. "The referee's had a bad game," Akers declared and went on to wonder why the official for this game had been a man. "We have some good women referees...but they never get used," he said. "I'm surprised because people often talk about women taking charge of their own game." Lofty sentiments Vic, but where would that leave you? The over-riding impression left as breath was drawn at the end of this pulsating encounter was impatience for the next two parts of this particular trilogy. Round 2 in the battle of the heavyweights comes in two weeks time in the WFA Cup semi finals at Bishops Stortford. I for one can hardly wait. Full Time: Arsenal Ladies 1 Charlton Athletic Ladies 2 Arsenal: E.Byrne, A.Scott, F.White, M.Phillip, Y.Tracy, A.Asante, J.Ludlow, K.Smith, R.Yankey (C.Grant 77), L.Sanderson, J.Fleeting. Charlton: P.Cope, C.Stoney, M.Bertelli, K.Hills, M.Hickmott, S.Snare, K.Chapman, E.Pond, J.Potter, A.Barr, E.Aluko (A.Hincks 83).
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