2002 FA Women's Cup final
Event | 2001–02 FA Women's Cup | ||||||
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Date | 6 May 2002 | ||||||
Venue | 2003 → |
The 2002 FA Women's Cup Final was the 32nd final of the
Fulham entered the competition at the third round stage and beat Newport County,
Fulham entered the match as favourites, in a contest billed as a contrast of styles. Watched by a crowd of 10,124 and a BBC television audience of two and a half million, Fulham won the match 2–1, with goals from Rachel Yankey and Katie Chapman. Jody Handley countered for Doncaster Belles.
Route to the final
Doncaster Belles
Round | Opposition | Score |
---|---|---|
4th | Brighton & Hove Albion Women & Girls (a) | 5–2 |
5th | Barry Town (a) | 1–0 |
6th | Arsenal Ladies (h)
|
2–1 |
Semi-final | Tranmere Rovers Ladies (n) | 3–1 |
As Doncaster Belles were an
The subsequent 2–1 win over Cup holders Arsenal at Brodsworth Welfare Ground surprised many, who had predicted a repeat of the previous year's Arsenal–Fulham final.[4] Doncaster Belles had gone two goals ahead within the first half hour through Handley and Karen Burke. Although Marieanne Spacey replied for Arsenal, a resilient second half display saw Doncaster Belles end a run of six successive defeats—stretching back almost two years—against their old rivals. The BBC reported that the final whistle was "joyously celebrated"[5] by the Doncaster Belles players. In the semi-final against Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park, defeat appeared likely when Tranmere went ahead through a 28th–minute penalty and Burke missed a penalty for Doncaster Belles.[6] But Carly Hunt scored an equalising goal from close range, then Tranmere were reduced to ten players when Faye Dunn was shown the red card. England captain Karen Walker secured a 3–1 win and Doncaster Belles' place in the final with two late goals.[7]
Fulham Ladies
Round | Opposition | Score |
---|---|---|
3rd | Newport County (h) | 12–0 |
4th | Birmingham City Ladies (a)
|
5–0 |
5th | Coventry City Ladies (a)
|
11–0 |
6th | Everton Ladies (a)
|
4–0 |
Semi-final | Charlton Athletic Ladies (n )
|
4–1 |
Fulham's competition began with a trip to fellow
In the fifth round Fulham routinely dispatched more Northern Division opposition,
Background
The 2002 final represented a record 13th final appearance for Doncaster Belles and the first since 2000, when they lost 2–1 to
Despite not yet playing in the FA Women's Premier League National Division, Fulham were already considered "the dominant force in England" by the BBC.
It's fantastic that it is live on BBC 1 for the first time. Everybody knows Doncaster Belles, even outside England. It is a team with a fantastic history and we know it won't be an easy job. We will just have to perform.
–Gaute Haugenes, Fulham manager[15]
Norway's Dagbladet reported that Doncaster Belles favoured a typically English style: "heavy, solid and with many long balls."[21] Although the Belles were a completely amateur outfit, the BBC anticipated that they would present a much more difficult challenge than Fulham had been accustomed to that season.[23] In the 2001–02 National Division Doncaster Belles had finished as runners-up for the third season in succession. In the Premier League Cup they suffered a shock semi final defeat by Birmingham City, collapsing from 3–1 ahead to lose 4–3 to the Northern Division leaders.[9] In April 2002 they had "stunningly" inflicted a 4–0 defeat on Arsenal, the eventual champions' first league defeat in over two and a half years.[24] Manager Julie Chipchase accepted that Fulham were favourites but noted the strength of her own squad: "It's an unusual situation for us to go into a match as the underdogs and I am hoping it will work in our favour. The pressure will be on Fulham but they have some excellent international class players just as we do and it will all be down to who performs on the day."[25]
Match
Summary
Doncaster Belles lined up in a traditional
In what the Daily Telegraph called a "breakneck speed"[26] start to the match, Leanne Hall saved a low 20 yard (18m) shot from Rachel McArthur and Moore later kicked over the bar from close range.[23] At the other end of the pitch, early chances included Walker failing to control Exley's through ball, Michelle Barr shooting narrowly over and Astrid Johannessen parrying Carly Hunt's effort.[23] As the match wore on Pettersen was largely subdued by the close attentions of Lowe.[20] Reports in The Guardian,[19] The Independent[20] and the BBC[23] indicate that the physical and direct approach of the Doncaster Belles stifled Fulham's passing game, keeping scoring opportunities at both ends to a minimum.
Although the teams remained level at the break, Fulham went ahead ten minutes into the second half. Carly Hunt was
Doncaster Belles continued to defend but Fulham won 2–1 to collect their first FA Women's Cup and complete a treble; along with their Premier League Cup and Premier League Southern Division wins. Ray Kiddell, Chairman of the FA Women's Committee, presented the cup in bank holiday sunshine.[27]
Match details
Fulham Ladies | ||
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Handley 61' | FA report BBC report |
Yankey 55' Chapman 60' |
Doncaster Belles
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Fulham Ladies
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Player of the match
Match officials |
Match rules
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Post-match
Doncaster Belles striker Walker admitted that Fulham had been the better team, but rejected the idea that the professionals' superior fitness had been decisive: "We matched them for fitness, and that was not the problem. It was the quality which was the difference. They play together week in and week out, and it showed in the end."[28]
Fulham coach Gaute Haugenes was glad to put the previous year's defeat by Arsenal behind them: "The feeling we had here last year – we didn't want to have that again."[19] He added: "It was a tough game but we expected a tough game. Many people put us as favourites but that is the price you pay for being professional."[26] Midfielder Margunn Haugenes, the manager's wife, told Dagbladet that private celebrations in the Haugenes household were unfit for description in a newspaper.[21]
The match attracted a crowd of 10,124 and a television audience of two and a half million.
Footballer Kelly Smith's autobiography, published ten years after the match, stressed the importance of the broadcast coverage: "The FA Women's Cup final was covered live on BBC One as part of the FA's new television deal. It remained on BBC One for seven years. That was a very important step for the game and an important mark of nationwide recognition for the sport."[31]
During the summer break Doncaster Belles turned semi-professional[32] after securing a major sponsorship deal with Green Flag.[33] After their promotion Fulham beat Doncaster Belles again, 4–0 this time, on the opening day of the 2002–03 league season.[33]
References
- ^ a b Shannon, David (9 September 2002). "England (Women) 2001/02". RSSSF. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
- ^ "Belles Bounce Back". Doncaster Free Press. 23 January 2002. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
- ^ "Belles through to face Arsenal". Doncaster Free Press. 13 February 2002. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
- ^ Cocozza, Paula (18 February 2002). "Women's football". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
- ^ Leighton, Tony (17 February 2002). "Belles upset Arsenal". BBC. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
- ^ Catt, Peter (4 April 2002). "Walker's strikes do trick". Doncaster Free Press. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
- ^ Leighton, Tony (31 March 2002). "Fulham face Belles in final". BBC. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
- ^ Gale, Carol (9 December 2001). "Ladies through". Fulham F.C. official website. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
- ^ a b Leighton, Tony (13 January 2002). "Birmingham shock Doncaster". BBC. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
- ^ Leighton, Tony (20 January 2002). "Pettersen sinks Birmingham". BBC. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
- ^ Leighton, Tony (5 April 2002). "Birmingham on a winner". BBC. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
- ^ "Women's Football: City ladies out of FA Cup". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 9 February 2002. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
- ^ "Fulham Ladies in the semi-finals". FulhamWeb.co.uk. 11 February 2002. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
- ^ a b c Cocozza, Paula (1 April 2002). "FA Cup broadcast offers women's football a boost". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
- ^ a b Rice, Ben (2 April 2002). "Fulham Ladies in the Cup Final". FulhamWeb.co.uk. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
- ^ "England - List of Women Cup Winners". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
- ^ a b "Women's FA Cup: The history". BBC Sport. 1 May 2003. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- ^ "Fulham lead the way". BBC. London: British Broadcasting Corporation. 5 May 2002. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cocozza, Paula (7 May 2002). "Busy Belles make full-time Fulham sweat for silver". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
- ^ a b c d Leighton, Tony (7 May 2002). "Fulham too professional for battling Belles". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ a b c "Måldronning Pettersens cupfest". Dagbladet (in Norwegian). Oslo. 7 May 2002. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ Brooks, Libby (2 May 2002). "Final Countdown". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Fulham too strong for Belles". BBC. London: British Broadcasting Corporation. 6 May 2002. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ Leighton, Tony (14 April 2002). "Belles pile on pressure". BBC. London: British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- ^ a b Catt, Peter (2 May 2002). "Belles in televised final clash". Doncaster Free Press. Doncaster. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ a b Bright, Richard (6 May 2002). "Fulham keep Belles from the ball". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ "Palace host Cup final". Crystal Palace F.C. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ "Fulham Ladies celebrate cup win". BBC. London. 6 May 2002. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ "What the papers say". Fulham F.C. official website. 7 May 2002. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Women's Football". House of Commons Hansard Debates. London. 13 May 2002. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- ISBN 978-0552166430. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
- ^ Leighton, Tony (15 August 2002). "To pay or not to pay". BBC Sport. London. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- ^ a b Cocozza, Paula (19 August 2002). "Women's football". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 13 October 2013.