The 2009 FA Women's Premier League Cup final was the 18th final of the FA Women's Premier League Cup, England's main women's league cup competition before it was replaced by the FA WSL Cup in 2011. Arsenal defeated Doncaster Rovers Belles 5–0 at Glanford Park, Scunthorpe.
Match Team news Belles manager John Buckley, already without his injured Canadian top-goalscorer Liz Hansen, regretted the scheduling of the match which ruled key midfielder Precious Hamilton out with suspension. It also meant that Arsenal's Alex Scott and Kelly Smith were still available, having not yet joined Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer.
Vic Akers – in his final season as Arsenal manager – could call on Scott and Smith for a final time, but Karen Carney had already taken up her transfer to Chicago Red Stars. He was also without Faye White and Yvonne Tracy (long-term knee injuries), Julie Fleeting (pregnant), and recent signing Helen Lander, who was cup-tied having played for Watford in an earlier round. New signing from Hibernian Suzanne Grant was named as a substitute. Emma Byrne remained in goal having rejected her own transfer offer from Boston Breakers.
Akers named a 4–2–1–3 formation with Gemma Davison coming in for Carney on the right wing to start her first Cup final for Arsenal. Rachel Yankey was on the other flank, with youngster Kim Little playing behind Smith in attack. Strong midfielders Jayne Ludlow and Katie Chapman played in front of a back four in which the experience of Laura Bassett was preferred to the youthful talents of Gilly Flaherty. John Buckley aimed for containment, naming a 4–1–4–1 setup with Amy Turner sweeping in front of the back four and Rachel Williams leading the line as a makeshift centre-forward.
Summary
GK 1 Nicola HobbsRB 2 Chelsea WestonCB 5 Claire UtleyCB 12 Natasha HughesLB 3 Vanessa LeatDM 6 Amy TurnerRM 14 Emma Johnson CM 8 Vicky Exley (c)CM 10 Vikki Stevens LM 7 Emily HecklerCF 4 Rachel WilliamsSubstitutes:GK 13 Clare FarrowDF 15 Natalie Shaw DF 16 Naomi Chadwick FW 17 Sarah OwenFW 9 Suzanne DaviesManager: John Buckley GK 1 Emma ByrneRB 2 Alex ScottCB 7 Ciara GrantCB 15 Laura Bassett LB 19 Niamh FaheyCM 4 Jayne Ludlow (c)CM 17 Katie ChapmanAM 16 Kim LittleRW 12 Gemma Davison CF 8 Kelly Smith LW 11 Rachel YankeySubstitutes:GK 24 Sarah QuantrillDF 5 Gilly Flaherty MF 18 Natalie RossFW 26 Lauren Bruton FW9 Suzanne Grant Manager: Vic Akers
Player of the Match:
Kelly Smith (Arsenal)Match rules
90 minutes 30 minutes of extra time if necessary Penalty shoot-out if scores still level Five named substitutes.
References