Fulham Ladies (0) 2 -1 (0) Doncaster Belles
Fulham Ladies made up for their FA Cup misery of 12 months ago, seeing off a spirited
Doncaster Belles side to lift the trophy for the first time.
Second-half goals in quick succession from Rachel Yankey and Katie Chapman
put the Londoners in control - only for the Belles' Jodie Handley's header to
halve the deficit almost immediately.
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A fine Fulham attacking move involving
Pettersen and Margunn Haugeness looked to have been cleared by the Belles'
defence but Katie Chapman's excellent shot flew past Hall for the winning
goal
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But the superior fitness of Fulham, the country's only professional outfit, told
in the end with the London team dominating the closing stages.
Since losing 1-0 to Arsenal in the FA Cup final last year, Gaute Haugeness' side
have enjoyed a year-long winning streak, but Doncaster pushed them far harder
than most of their Southern League opponents.
The Belles' Karen Walker had the first chance, failing to control a perceptive
through ball from Vicky Exley.
Fulham's industrious Rachel McArthur saw her 20-yard deflected drive brilliantly
turned behind by Doncaster keeper Leanne Hall shortly afterwards.
Michelle Barr saw her instinctive volley whistle just over the Fulham crossbar,
but the Londoners should have taken the lead on 20 minutes, Kristy Moore smashing
the ball over from 10 yards.
Fulham keeper Astrid Johannsen had to be alert to parry after Carly Hunt latched
on to Walker's through ball and fired in a shot.
After the initial flurry of attacking opportunities, however, the game became
rather scrappy with both midfields cancelling each other out.
Chances became few and far between and a fluffed free-kick from Fulham, which
Yankey let slip between her feet, summed up a rather subdued conclusion to the
half.
Fulham began the second half well, Yankey denied a clear sight of goal by a
superb tackle from Becky Easton.
McArthur might have done better during another Fulham attack, but lost control
when well-placed, while Marianne Pettersen's shot was too weak to trouble Belles'
goalkeeper Hall.
But the omens were bad for Doncaster, and it was no surprise when Fulham took
the lead on 55 minutes.
Belles' Hunt was booked after a foul on the edge of the box, and Yankey's free-kick
crept past the unsighted Hall and into the corner of the net.
Demoralised Doncaster were still reeling when Fulham doubled their lead five
minutes later.
A fine attacking move involving Pettersen and Margunn Haugeness looked to have
been headed clear by the Belles' defence - but Katie Chapman's shot flew past
Hall and into the net.
Yet Doncaster gave themselves a lifeline with a goal just one minute later.
Karen Burke's pinpoint cross was headed past Johanssen by Jodie Handley.
Fulham's superior fitness was starting to tell.
McArthur saw a low shot saved by the feet of Hall after brilliant work from
Yankey, and Mandy Lowe had to make a telling interception to prevent Pettersen
scoring.
Nevertheless, the Belles did not give up, and if Karen Walker had placed her
80th-minute drive either side of Johannsen, the Yorkshire side could have found
themselves level.
Teams:
Doncaster Belles:
Leanne Hall, Gemma Hunt, Lowe, Barr, Easton, Burke, Exley, Walker, Carly Hunt,
Handley, Utley. Subs: Gomersall, Abrahams, Garside, Howarth, Borman.
Fulham Ladies:
Johannsen, Jerray-Silver, McArthur, Terp, Phillip, Chapman, Haugenes, Moore, Yankey,
Pettersen, Unitt. Subs: Duncan, Smith, Gibbons, Mork, Raaman.
Referee: E Evans (Manchester)