Adobe Women's FA Cup Final, Sunday 12th May
I was back at Wembley for the second day running, this time to see the showpiece finale in the Adobe Women's FA Cup between to WSL sides in the shape of Man United & Spurs, this was United's second successive final, they lost last years one to Chelsea in what was a poor game, so they were hoping they could have a change of fortunes against an improving Spurs outfit who had certainly had a much better season this time around.
United were not having as good a season as last time around despite reaching this final once again, last season's runners up finish is a distant memory this season as they find themselves down in fifth spot and outside the top three by twelve points, very disappointing for such a big club with a terrific squad of players to choose from, and with just one round of matches to come, today was the only chance to salvage a season that has been largely disappointing as said.
And for Spurs it's been a total opposite in terms of how their season has gone comparted to last, they were in a relegation battle last term but this season they are only one place behind today's opponents in the table in sixth, ok they are seven points behind the top five, but this plus a cup final appearance is certainly something to be proud of, and if they could get a win today and end the season with some silverware, wow what a season that would be under the stewardship of Robert Vilahamn who has transformed this side in his first season in charge.
Now how did these two get to this final then, remember the competition began way back on Sunday 10th September when 208 sides did battle in the First Qualifying Round, but of course the WSL sides didn't enter the competition till the Fourth Round Proper in mid January, six rounds later, Man Utd saw off Newcastle United 5-0 at home before netting a 3-1 win at Southampton.
A 4-0 Quarter Final win at Brighton & Hove Albion then followed before a semi final win over Chelsea saw them into today's final, Spurs themselves squeezed past Sheffield United 3-2 at home before another narrow home win, 1-0 over Charlton Athletic saw them get into the quarter finals, another home tie, against giants Manchester City.
And after a 1-1 draw after extra time, Spurs dumped their much fancied opponents out on penalties to progress to a semi final tie against Leicester City, which they edged by a 2-1 score line after extra time to reach Wembley and a date with United and a chance to win the FA Cup.
How would this one go then? The teams were greeted by a superb crowd of 76,082 at Wembley in what was a superb atmosphere, and it was United who looked more at home in this final, with Leah Galton testing Spurs keeper Rebecca Spencer with a close range effort early on.
Katie Zelem was proving dangerous from set pieces, and her deliveries gave both Rachel Williams and Lucia Garcia chances to open the scoring, Spurs best chance of the half came on the counter as they had to soak up a lot of pressure, Ashleigh Neville finding Matilda Vinberg at the back post, but the winger could not keep her header down.
United though were the ones most likely to be looking to break the deadlock, Ella Toone got a shot away following a break, whilst another corner was kept out after a superb block by Martha Thomas, and it seemed the sides would go into the break with no goals on the board.
But, enter Toone, who produced a moment of brilliance to give United the lead in first half stoppage time, Lisa Naalsund began the breakaway from United before Toone got the ball about twenty five yards out, sat a defender down on the floor before curling a beauty into the top corner giving Spencer no chance whatsoever.
It was a brilliant goal, and the many replays afterwards and at half time saw gasps of wonder at how brilliant it was, it was certainly a deserved lead, and Spurs knew they would have to improve and keep United at bay if they were to have any chance of getting back into this contest.
It wasn't to be though as United tool total control after the break, in the 54th minute Zelem's set piece into the box found this season's FA Cup top scorer Williams who duly nodded a header back across goal and into the far corner, and then came a moment to forget for the Spurs keeper as after receiving a back pass, she miskicked the ball across goal and straight to Garcia who had the simplest of tasks to fire the ball into the net, oh dear, it was an awful moment for Spencer and one that pretty much ended this contest.
Spurs did have a golden chance to pull a goal back midway through the second period when Bethany England thumped a close range header against the bar, but it probably would not have made much difference to the outcome as United were far superior by now, and they added a fourth goal soon after when Naalsund found Garcia inside the box and the latter fired home for her brace and put the icing on the cake.
England did have a chance to grab at least one goal for Spurs late on but saw her effort blocked by Mannion, and United closed out a dominant performance with a clean sheet to boot, it had been a comprehensive display from the Reds and they had banished last years memories to record their first FA Cup success.
A humbling experience for Spurs, but they can look back on this season with pride after what they had to go through last season, and Man Utd can at least be happy with the way the season has ended with some silverware, will that be enough for under fire coach Marc Skinner, who knows, but this will surely ease the pressure for now.
Full time Manchester United 4 Tottenham Hotspur 0
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