Brings an end to another fantastic season of women's football in the FAWSL, Chelsea Ladies winning the double the FAWSL 1 title and FA Women's Cup, held for the 1st time at Wembley Stadium. 2015 though will be always remembered for the achievement of England's Lionesses during the summer at the Women's World Cup in Canada finishing 3rd beating the German's with a penalty too.
The Continental Tyres Cup is the women's version of the league cup contested by the 18 sides that make up FAWSL 1 and 2. Drawn into 3 groups of six sides playing each other once with the top two plus the 2 best runners-up progressing for the 1st time this season to a quarter-final knock-out stage. A later than usual final this season namely because of the Women's World Cup and the Continental Tyres Cup not starting until the FAWSL resumed after the summer break.
Onto the sides contesting today's final, Arsenal Ladies have featured in every single final of the Continental Tyres Cup since it began 5 seasons ago in 2011, won it that year and in 2012 and 2013. That run ended in last season's final when they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City Women. Were in Group One this season along side, Chelsea Ladies, Reading FC Women, Millwall Lionesses, Watford Ladies and London Bees. With just the 2 FAWSL 1 sides in the group they were hot favourites to progress the the quarter final stage. Did so with a 100% win record 5 out of 5 to top Group One, including a 2-0 away win against Chelsea Ladies.
Was a repeat of last seasons final as they were drawn at home against Manchester City Women who had topped Group Tow with a similar record. The tie was delayed whilst Manchester City Women were investigated by the FA for allegedly fielding an ineligible player in a group stage match was a situation that didn't help anyone, clubs, players and fans alike, eventually the charge wasn't proven and the tie went ahead Arsenal Ladies winning 1-0 Natalia Pablos Sanchon with the goal. Onto the semi-finals were drawn once more at home to Birmingham City Ladies who had ended Chelsea Ladies dream of a treble with a 1-0 win in the quarter finals. Arsenal Ladies booked their place in their 5th successive Continental Tyres Cup Final with, Marta Corredera, Dan Carter and Alex Scott scoring the goals in a 3-1 victory.
Notts County Ladies have a shorter history in the competition having only been named as a FAWSL franchise in the 2013 season rebranding form having been Lincoln Ladies previously. Last season they topped their group to reach the semi-finals where they were beate 2-0 by Arsenal Ladies. Finished top of Group Three again this season like Arsenal Ladies and Manchester City Women with a 100% win record to book a place in the quarter finals where they were drawn at home to FAWSL 2 side Reading FC Women.was a close encounter with Notts County taking the lead twice only to be pegged back before Alex Greenwood struck again in the closing minutes to seal a 3-2 win.
Were on the road in the semi-finals drawn against Liverpool Ladies. Ellen White scored a brace in the 1st half as the Lady Pies ran out 2-0 to reach their 2nd Cup Final of 2015. Having been part of that historic day at Wembley Stadium eventually losing 1-0 to Chelsea Ladies they will be hoping they can go one better this time around.
The venue for today's Continental Tyres Cup Final the ASSEAL New York Stadium home of Rotherham United. Opened in 2012 is a smart looking modern stadium with fantastic facilities. Today was my 1st taste of covering a major women's cup final from the press box and I was excited and looking forwards the the experience. Had a good view of an excellent looking playing surface the sun setting across a lush green surface. Into November but a pleasant afternoon with no sign of the fog that was plaguing other parts of the country.
Arsenal Ladies starting XI - Sari Van Veenendaal, Casey Stoney (C), Jemma Rose, Dominique Janssen, Marta Corredera, Leah Williamson, Jordan Nobbs, Jade Bailey, Vicky Losada, Rachel Yankey & Natalia De Pablos Sanchon.
subs - Emma Bryne, Chioma Ubogagu, Carla Humphrey, Chloe Kelly, Lotte Wubben-Moy & Georgia Allen.
Notts County Ladies starting XI - Carly Telford, Alex Greenwood, Amy Turner, Laura Bassett (C), Sophie Walton, Desiree Scott, Danielle Buet, Leanne Critchon, Rachel Williams, Jess Clarke & Ellen White.
subs - Olivia Walker, Fern Whelan, Ashleigh Plumptre, Alice Hassall, Aileen Whelan & Laura-Jayne O'Neill.
Arsenal Ladies were without Alex Scott, recently back from a trip to China with the England squad along Danielle Carter in attack and Emma Mitchell in defence. Had Leah Williamson starting at left back with Dominique Janssen at right back. Notts County had their strongest 11 starting today. The toss won Arsenal switched ends with the Carly Telford having to deal with the setting sun at that end. Notts County to kick off the 1st half of the Continental Tyres Cup Final wearing black and white vertical striped shirts, white shorts and black socks with Arsenal lined up opposite in red shirts with white across the shoulders and sleeves, white shorts and socks.
The ball is played long into the right channel right from the off and a slip from Leah Williamson as she goes to defend it presents a chance for Notts County, Jess Clarke to steal in on the ball, tries to take it into the box, is squeezed off the ball as Arsenal's centre back pairing of Jemma Rose and captain Casey Stoney converge to close the door in front of her.
Fast start to the game, Arsenal are soon up the other end Marta Corredera on the ball driving towards Amy Turner on the left of defence for Notts County, has support from Jordan Nobbs making an overlapping run into space on the right gives her the ball, taking it into the corner wraps her leg around the ball sending the cross into the box, Carly Telford comes and makes a comfortable claim at her near post.
Rachel Yankey celebrating her birthday today has the ball on the left down to the byline wins a corner off Notts County captain Laura Bassett. The corner is met at the near post by Notts County's Leanne Critchon heading the ball behind for a 2nd corner. This corner is hooked on by Dominique Janssen at the near post into the crowded six yard box, a brief scramble ensues before a Notts County boot gets the ball away from danger. Pitch looks a little slick underfoot a few players losing their standing foot as they attempt a pass.
Natalia De Pablos Sanchon steals the ball off the Notts county defence as Arsenal push numbers forwards, taking it into the right corner of the area looks to send the cross in towards Vicky Losada making a run to the far post, hitting the shot on the volley, it strikes Bassett closing her down taking the sting out of the shot deflecting it safely into Telford's gloves.
Great chance for Notts County to open the scoring up the other end 3 minutes later as they win a free kick wide on the right half way inside the Arsenal half, played into the front of the area takes a nick off a defender as Ellen White attempts to poke the ball towards goal, comes through to Bassett clear to the right of the goal, Arsenal arms go up but no flag is raised, Bassett shoots, Arsenal goalkeeper Sari Van Veenendaal makes a brilliant save diving to her left showing great reactions to push the ball away from danger. Notts County keep it in play on the left the ball eventually coming to Rachel Williams 30 yards out full of power runs towards the box hits the shot blasts the ball over the crossbar.
Just 10 minutes on the clock both sides with glorious chances to score. Notts County as you'd expect are pressing the ball hard the movement of their front 3, Williams, White and Clarke causing the Arsenal defence a few concerns early on. Another slip as White goes to take a shot from 20 plus yards out falling back in a central position lifts the ball over the bar. Another powerful run from Williams on the left of the attack takes her past Janssen into the corner cuts the cross back towards the penalty spot, it's Arsenal midfielder Jade Bailey who has raced back to help defend who gets to the ball 1st.
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| Notts County Ladies, Rachel Williams a powerful runner with the ball |
Notts County are doing well the pressing paying off this time the move starts with Sophie Walton coming forwards to win the ball on the right play it into the channel for White to go after, gets the cross into the box early, Jess Clarke is probably the only player likely to cover the grass to get onto the end of it has made the run slides in connecting with the ball sends it wide of the goal.
Telford with another smart save of Natalia following good work down the right from Corredera pushing forwards into a crossing position sends the cross into her fellow Spaniard arriving on the six yard line, turns ad hits the shot, Telford might have been unsighted by Bassett in front of her isn't distracted drops low to her left to turn the ball away.
GOAL! 25 minutes in and the deadlock is broken Arsenal have the ball on the right good link up play between Janssen and Corredera before they release it into the feet of Nobbs making another forwards run right of the area surges into the box, hits the shot hard and low sending it across Telford and into the back of the net 1-0.
The goal is against the run of play Notts had been putting the Arsenal back line under a little pressure before, attacking again Clarke in the centre puts her shot from 20 yards out straight into Van Veenedaal's gloves. Clarke again making a run down the right tries to out pace Williamson, realising she can't go shoulder to shoulder with her peels away does well to slide in prevent the cross. Alex Greenwood fouls Losada as she looks to break with the ball, a bit of back chat earns her the 1st yellow card of the match.
The next card shown is RED! Notts County captain Bassett is giving her marching orders from the referee. Inside the Notts County half is in front of the Arsenal dugout, they rush out to protest as Bassett goes to ground looking to win the ball off Losada she ends up on the ground my 1st thought was that Bassett might have actually got the ball before bringing Losada down, and of course with the hindsight of seeing a replay this looks the case, so it comes down to intent didn't look much of that either the referee thinks differently however and she brandishes the red card sending Bassett for an early shower and reducing Notts County to 10. Big call in any game let alone a cup final.
Losada on the ball plays it out to Yankey in space on the left cutting the cross back into the area the ball is too long for Natalia in the middle comes all the way through to Corredera out to the right corner of the area, hits the 1st time shot over the bar. With the player advantage Williamson has space to run into on the right as Notts County look to adjust has Bailey making a good run for her in the middle looks to roll her in, Desiree Scott reads it and comes across to put the tackle in to stop her outside the box.
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| A superb brace scored by Arsenal's Jordan Nobbs |
Critchton filling in at centre back with Bassett off the pitch is replaced by Fern Whelan. She is called into action straight away putting a stop to another determined run from Corredera on the right as she looks to come inside and drive into the box.
Late chance for Notts County to pull one back before the break as the ball is put forwards into the Arsenal area with Williams the player attacking the far post is almost past the goal when she gets her head the the ball turning it back inside loops over Van Veenendaal striking the crossbar before Arsenal clear and the whistle blows for half-time.
Half time Arsenal Ladies 2-0 Notts County Ladies
Was a pretty even contest for a while could say Notts County were edging it although it was Arsenal who opened the scoring Nobbs with some great movement operating behind Natalia took her 1st goal well, the 2nd was even better. Between that though Notts County were reduced to 10 a controversial decision by the referee and one that has changed the completion of the final entirely not want we want to be talking about, Notts County have a mountain to climb 2nd half as Arsenal get it under-way.
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| Arsenal Ladies Jade Bailey evading a challenge. |
Notts County get on the ball early on have an attack the ball fed into White inside the D produces a clever back heel for Clarke to steal into the box behind her, Rose does enough to get in front of the ball turn it away to the right side, the cross gets sent into the area Van Veenendaal claims it.
Arsenal win a free kick wide on the left the ball is put long into the box by Nobbs looking for Natalia the striker stretching for the ball can't quite get the tough needed to divert it towards goal. Van Vennendaal is called into action to make the save off White as the Notts County attacker steals the ball from Williamson at the back and drives into the box from the right powers her shot in towards goals Van Veenendaal drops low to her left to push the ball away for a corner kick. Nobbs back inside her box to defend the corner kick gets it clear.
Notts County haven't come out 2nd half looking for damage limitation have gone to 3 at the back with Whelan, Turner and Greenwood pushed Walton up into the middle. Are putting the work in to press the ball just as they were 1st half with 11 on the field. White and Clarke link up on the right side taking the ball down the channel the cross is lofted in Van Veenendaal throws up a glove at her near post the ball going over her is threatening to creep over the line, between them Rose and Janssen hook it off the line and the ball ends up safely in the keepers gloves.
Losada when she can get on the ball is making some great runs from the centre of the park to link up with players both left and right, this time puts the ball forwards into the run from Corredera on her right she whips the cross in towards the far post, Nobbs is racing in to get onto the end of it throwing herself at the ball cannot quite get there to turn it home. Strong challenges are coming in from both sides Turner gets away with one through the back of Losada, Corredera doesn't as she chops down Greenwood. From the free kick on the half way line Notts County send the ball in towards the edge of the box, Williams heads on well with White breaking clear to steal in on the ball, Van Veenendaal comes and claims the ball saving at her feet.
Losada and Corredera link up in attack for Arsenal through the middle Losada looking to send Corredera through on goal, Scott does well tracking the run well and getting in to make another fine tackle. Notts County make another change bringing off Walton for Aileen Whelan as they look for the goal to get themselves back into this final on 65 minutes. Corredera on the left of the attack sweeps in a great cross into the box with Natalia getting her head to the ball turns the attempt wide of goal.Scott back again this time tracking the run from Nobbs into the area as Natalia looks to put her in on goal.
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| Danielle Buet on the ball for Notts County Ladies |
Last action of the game for Natalia as she comes off the field to be replaced by Chioma Ubogagu with 15 minutes left to play. Notts County push players forwards have bodies up and around the Arsenal area try to bulldoze their way through the door is closed the ball pops back out to Buet who goes for the drive from distance hitting it low and hard across the area out of play the far side of the goal.
An extremely rare mistake by Stoney as she comes out to the right back slot to deal with Williams as Buet sees her in space on the wing. Williams wins the ball back off the defender comes inside off the byline looks to square it back in towards the penalty spot for White to hit, instead Rose steals in to get on the ball knocks it back into Williams the flag goes up stopping play not entirely sure why.
Stoney is soon back to her defensive best getting her head firmly onto a long ball put into the box from a Greenwood free kick sent in to the far post heads behind for a corner. The corner put in from the left is nodded down in the middle falls to the right, Scott somehow gets to the ball going to ground manages to get a shot away too much lift sends the shot over the bar. Notts County are pressing hard Williams on the left squares it to White edge of the box Yankey gets back to take it from her toe as she looks to pull the trigger. Final change for Notts County with Laura-Jayne O'Neill coming on for the hard working Williams.
Five minutes of normal time left Notts County have a free kick halfway inside the Arsenal half on the left, Greenwood to deliver aims for the crowd lined up to attack the far post comes to Fern Whelan stooping to head the ball turns it wide of goal. Arsenal send 17 year old Chloe Kelly on for Corredera in the closing minutes. Kelly playing on the right of the attack has 2 good opportunities to play the ball into the box looking for Ubogagu the Notts County defence stand firm. Last change for Arsenal Yankey leaves the pitch on comes Lotte Wubben-Moy with 4 minutes of injury time indicated.
GOAL! Arsenal score the 3rd goal to put the game beyond doubt, Ubogagu gets on the score sheet late on as the ball is put into her feet left of the goal taking on her marker closes in on goal shoots sending the ball past Telford coming to close the angle and the shot rolls over the line to make it 3-0.
One last Notts County corner for Arsenal to deal with and that's the final whistle blows they win the match 3-0 and with it win the Continental Tyres Cup for the 4th time in 5 years. 2 wonderful goals from Jordan Nobbs the seasons only just started for her if only Arsenal had had her for the whole campaign. End the season with silverware as Casey Stoney lifts the trophy aloft for her side.
Two finals two defeats for Notts County battle till the end today, were the better side 2nd half despite having just 10 players worked hard all game and 11 v 11 might have been a different story.
Arsenal Ladies are the Continental Tyres Cup winners for 2015. My congratulations to manager Pedro Martinez Losa and his players for their success.
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