Bobby
16-05-2004, 12:27:PM
Arsenal v Fulham
F.A. Women's Premier League
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Arsenal 3
-Sanderson 38
-Fleeting 65
-Maggs 90
Fulham 1
-McArthur 85
By Richard Clarke
Just over four hours after Arsène Wenger’s side lifted the Premier League trophy at Highbury, Arsenal Ladies followed suit by winning the title-decider against Fulham.
It had been winner-takes-all for Vic Akers’ outfit. Victory would give them title, likewise their opponents. And, just to add a little extra spice, a draw would let in Charlton, leaders for so long this season.
It was rarely in doubt after Lianne Sanderson fired Arsenal into the lead seven minutes before the break. Julie Fleeting added another just past the hour and, despite Rachel McArthur’s late goal for Fulham, Ellen Maggs’ injury-time strike ensured another Highbury title.
It capped an incredible comeback having seemed dead and buried in the Women’s Premier League earlier in the season and the trophy will fit nicely alongside the FA Cup they won earlier this month.
Another Double for Akers.
In fact was Fulham who started the brighter with Kim Jerray-Silver lobbing shot onto the roof of the net in the eighth minute.
But Arsenal soon gained the ascendancy. Fleeting fed Ciara Grant who thumped narrowly wide from 20 yards out then Kirsty Pealling’s low shot forced Fulham keeper Leanne Hall into a scrambling save.
Fleeting, hat-trick hero of the FA Cup final, was proving to be a menace for the visiting defence. Only a timely tackle from Rachel Unitt prevented her scoring in the 29th minute.
Seven minutes from the interval, she started the move that saw Clare Wheatley thread a pass to Sanderson and the 16-year-old cut inside Mary Phillip before firing home an angled shot from 20 yards. Advantage Arsenal.
Rachel Yankey went close to levelling matter just after the break. But, in the 54th minute, Fleeting made it 2-0. Arsenal keeper Emma Byrne booted the ball upfield and the bounced fooled the Fulham defence.
Fleeting nipped in, rounded the keeper and tapped home.
The Scottish striker nearly added another 10 minutes later but her angled header from Maggs’ left-wing cross drifted just wide.
Substitute Yvonne Tracy then crossed and Maggs flung herself at the ball only for the header to whistle just wide.
Arsenal seemed likely to kill off the tie soon.
But Fulham fought back. Katie Chapman’s goal was ruled out for offside then, five minutes later, McArthur did score. Suddenly it was ‘game on’ once more.
But just when hearts were fluttering in injury time, Maggs popped up to volley home at the far post.
The title was Arsenal’s – again.
(H)
Final table (Top): (team-played-points)
Arsenal -- 18 -- 47 -- Champions
Charlton - 18 -- 46
Fulham --- 18 -- 44
F.A. Women's Premier League
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Arsenal 3
-Sanderson 38
-Fleeting 65
-Maggs 90
Fulham 1
-McArthur 85
By Richard Clarke
Just over four hours after Arsène Wenger’s side lifted the Premier League trophy at Highbury, Arsenal Ladies followed suit by winning the title-decider against Fulham.
It had been winner-takes-all for Vic Akers’ outfit. Victory would give them title, likewise their opponents. And, just to add a little extra spice, a draw would let in Charlton, leaders for so long this season.
It was rarely in doubt after Lianne Sanderson fired Arsenal into the lead seven minutes before the break. Julie Fleeting added another just past the hour and, despite Rachel McArthur’s late goal for Fulham, Ellen Maggs’ injury-time strike ensured another Highbury title.
It capped an incredible comeback having seemed dead and buried in the Women’s Premier League earlier in the season and the trophy will fit nicely alongside the FA Cup they won earlier this month.
Another Double for Akers.
In fact was Fulham who started the brighter with Kim Jerray-Silver lobbing shot onto the roof of the net in the eighth minute.
But Arsenal soon gained the ascendancy. Fleeting fed Ciara Grant who thumped narrowly wide from 20 yards out then Kirsty Pealling’s low shot forced Fulham keeper Leanne Hall into a scrambling save.
Fleeting, hat-trick hero of the FA Cup final, was proving to be a menace for the visiting defence. Only a timely tackle from Rachel Unitt prevented her scoring in the 29th minute.
Seven minutes from the interval, she started the move that saw Clare Wheatley thread a pass to Sanderson and the 16-year-old cut inside Mary Phillip before firing home an angled shot from 20 yards. Advantage Arsenal.
Rachel Yankey went close to levelling matter just after the break. But, in the 54th minute, Fleeting made it 2-0. Arsenal keeper Emma Byrne booted the ball upfield and the bounced fooled the Fulham defence.
Fleeting nipped in, rounded the keeper and tapped home.
The Scottish striker nearly added another 10 minutes later but her angled header from Maggs’ left-wing cross drifted just wide.
Substitute Yvonne Tracy then crossed and Maggs flung herself at the ball only for the header to whistle just wide.
Arsenal seemed likely to kill off the tie soon.
But Fulham fought back. Katie Chapman’s goal was ruled out for offside then, five minutes later, McArthur did score. Suddenly it was ‘game on’ once more.
But just when hearts were fluttering in injury time, Maggs popped up to volley home at the far post.
The title was Arsenal’s – again.
(H)
Final table (Top): (team-played-points)
Arsenal -- 18 -- 47 -- Champions
Charlton - 18 -- 46
Fulham --- 18 -- 44