Arsenal Ladies clinch 13th FA Women's Cup title
Arsenal Ladies handed a 2-0 defeat to Everton Ladies winning their 13th FA Cup crown at Stadium MK.
Shelley Kerr, Arsenal’s departing manager, had a sweet ending to her reign at Arsenal by retaining the FA Cup title.
Arsenal skipper Kelly Smith continued her scintillating form by scoring a goal from a free-kick in the 15th minute, giving her side an early lead. Later, she went on to set up Yukari Kinga’s second goal in the second half of the game. Kelly Smith, the 35-year-old England international, was the oldest on the pitch proved to be the fulcrum in Arsenal’s attack.
Everton had few good chances in the opening minutes but it failed to bank on those opportunities as striker Nikita Parris fired over the post.
Later, Everton was unlucky when winger Rachel Yankey’s 25-yard shot hit the woodwork. Everton keeper Brown-Finnis came up with a couple of good saves but was beaten clearly by Kelly.
Arsenal struck the woodwork once more in stoppage time through Emma Mitchell, but it mattered little in terms of the final result as the Gunners claimed their 13th FA Cup crown.