Camden New Journal - Sports: Cup Glory For Gunner Girls

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Camden New Journal - By CATHERINE ETOE
Published: 8 May 2008

Lianne Sanderson Jayne Ludlow and Anita Asante celebrate a third successive FA Cup win

Cup glory for Gunner Girls

WOMEN’S FA CUP FINAL: ARSENAL 4, LEEDS 1

ARSENAL broke more than Leeds’ hearts in Nottingham on Monday – the Double-winning Gunner Girls broke records too.
Taking the title for a ninth time meant Arsenal shot down Southampton’s 27-year-old record as the club with most FA Cup wins.
The fact that they did so in front of 24,582 fans meant the record for an FA Cup attendance was also smashed.
“To win three finals in a row is an achievement and to break the record is fantastic,” said manager Vic Akers, before calling for the prestigious final to be played at Wembley in future.
The chances of that appear slim at best, yet despite yearning for the biggest stage of all, Akers was delighted with the atmosphere at the City Ground. “It was fantastic,” he said.
Roared on by their fans, Arsenal overcame a frustrating first-half to wrap up a League and Cup double in six second-half minutes.
Leeds goalkeeper Carly Telford’s heroics denied Jayne Ludlow, Alex Scott and Karen Carney in the first period. But former American league professional Kelly Smith set Arsenal on their way within minutes of the restart.
Jayne Ludlow added a second five minutes later and Lianne Sanderson claimed her 51st goal of the season on the hour mark. Jess Clarke scored a consolation for Leeds on 70 minutes but Smith completed the rout late on with her second of the game to make it three FA Cup titles on the trot.
“It’s every girl’s dream to play in the FA Cup Final and I’m lucky enough to have played in three,” said Smith after the match.
Arsenal’s celebrations were muted, however, as eight players left shortly after the game to join England for their must-win Euro qualifier against Belarus.

Spurs win league title

London & SE Regional League
Premier Division
Spurs 2, Horley Town 1

TRIUMPHANT Tottenham celebrated title glory on Sunday when they beat Horley Town to clinch promotion in to the South-East Combination League.
Striker Jessie Richards was the star of the show as Spurs were crowned champions with a nervy win at the Fred Knight Sports Ground.
The talented 17-year-old broke the deadlock just before the break when she latched on to Clare Singh’s perfectly weighted through ball and slotted her shot beyond the keeper.
Horley equalised early in the second-half, but Richards struck again 10 minutes before time to seal a narrow 2-1 victory.

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