2002 FA Women's Cup final

January 2025 December 2014 2002 FA Women's Cup Final The match programme cover FA Women's Cup 2002.JPG 150 2001–02 FA Women's Cup Doncaster Belles 1 Fulham 2 6 May 2002 Selhurst Park London Mandy Lowe (Doncaster Belles) Eddie Evans (Manchester) 10,124 2001 2003 The 2002 FA Women's Cup Final was the 32nd final of the FA Women's Cup, England's primary cup competition for women's football teams. The final event was played between Doncaster Belles and Fulham on 6 May 2002 at Selhurst Park in London. Doncaster Belles entered a record 13th final having won the trophy on six previous occasions. Fulham made its second final appearance, after losing the 2001 final. Doncaster Belles entered the competition at the fourth round and faced Brighton & Hove Albion, Barry Town, Arsenal and Tranmere Rovers before reaching the final. Fulham entered at the third round stage and beat Newport County, Birmingham City, Coventry City, Everton and Charlton Athletic to reach the final. As a top-flight club, 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) 5–25th Barry Town (a) 1–0 6th Arsenal (h) 2–1 Semi-final Tranmere Rovers (n) 3–1 As Doncaster Belles were an FA Women's Premier League National Division club, they entered the competition in the fourth round; one round later than Fulham.https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eng-wom02.html England (Women) 2001/02 RSSSF Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation 9 September 2002 7 September 2011 David Shannon Doncaster Belles' cup run started with a rescheduled trip to the Withdean Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion. Despite Brighton taking the lead after only 10 minutes, Doncaster Belles mastered the wet and windy conditions and hit back strongly to win 5–2.http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/belles_bounce_back_1_514238 Belles Bounce Back Doncaster Free Press 23 January 2002 7 September 2011 2 April 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120402003103/http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/belles_bounce_back_1_514238 dead In another delayed fixture in the fifth round, Doncaster Belles travelled to Wales to meet Barry Town. The match at Jenner Park was again played in wind and heavy rain. A goal from Jody Handley and a strong midfield performance from debutant Carly Hunt earned a 1–0 win and a quarter final meeting with Arsenal.http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/belles_through_to_face_arsenal_1_514277 Belles through to face Arsenal Doncaster Free Press 13 February 2002 7 September 2011 2 April 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120402003116/http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/belles_through_to_face_arsenal_1_514277 dead 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.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/feb/18/newsstory.sport?INTCMP=SRCH Women's football The Guardian 18 February 2002 13 October 2013 Paula Cocozza 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"http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1826148.stm Belles upset Arsenal BBC 17 February 2002 7 September 2011 Tony Leighton 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.http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/walker_s_strikes_do_trick_by_peter_catt_1_515914?action=logout Walker's strikes do trick Doncaster Free Press 4 April 2002 Peter Catt 7 September 2011 2 April 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120402003136/http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/walker_s_strikes_do_trick_by_peter_catt_1_515914?action=logout dead 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.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1904329.stm Fulham face Belles in final BBC 31 March 2002 7 September 2011 Tony Leighton Fulham Round Opposition Score 3rd Newport County (h) 12–0 4th Birmingham City (a) 5–0 5th Coventry City (a) 11–0 6th Everton (a) 4–0 Semi-final Charlton Athletic (n) 4–1 Fulham's competition began with a trip to fellow Southern Division outfit Newport County. Having already beaten Newport 14–0 in the league, Fulham this time ran 12 unanswered goals past their hapless opponents. "The final score was 12–0 and it could have been more," noted the match report on the Fulham website.http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2001/december/09/ladies-through Ladies through Fulham F.C. official website 9 December 2001 13 October 2013 Carol Gale In the fourth round Fulham faced a trickier assignment at Birmingham City. Under the leadership of Queens Park Rangers player Marcus Bignot, Birmingham City's young team were top of the Northern Division and had already beaten Doncaster Belles to qualify for the Premier League Cup final, where they would meet Fulham.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1758578.stm Birmingham shock Doncaster BBC British Broadcasting Corporation 13 January 2002 7 September 2011 Tony Leighton One goal ahead at half time, Fulham's superior fitness and Marianne Pettersen's eighth hat-trick of the season resulted in a 5–0 win.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1772182.stm Pettersen sinks Birmingham BBC British Broadcasting Corporation 20 January 2002 7 September 2011 Tony Leighton Bignot lamented "our girls were overawed – they were waiting for Fulham to score."http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1912398.stm Birmingham on a winner BBC British Broadcasting Corporation 5 April 2002 7 September 2011 Tony Leighton In the fifth round Fulham routinely dispatched more Northern Division opposition, Coventry City, with an 11–0 win at Nuneaton's Pingles Stadium.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/WOMEN%27S+FOOTBALL%3A+City+ladies+out+of+FA+Cup.-a082727544 Women's Football: City ladies out of FA Cup Coventry Evening Telegraph 9 February 2002 7 September 2011 The quarter final meeting with National Division Everton followed a similar pattern to the earlier win over Birmingham. A Margunn Haugenes penalty gave Fulham a one-goal advantage at the interval, before a second half increase in tempo saw them depart Merseyside with a 4–0 win and their place in the semi-finals.http://www.fulhamweb.co.uk/news/Fulham-Ladies-in-the-Semi-finals.aspx Fulham Ladies in the semi-finals FulhamWeb.co.uk 11 February 2002 7 September 2011 During the match with Charlton Athletic at Woking's Kingfield Stadium, Pettersen and Kristy Moore put Fulham two goals ahead in the first half, but Charlton reduced the deficit when Astrid Johannessen allowed Fara Williams' tame free kick through her legs. According to The Guardian report, "there was always going to come the time to ask a familiar question: how many would Fulham score?"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/apr/01/newsstory.sport FA Cup broadcast offers women's football a boost The Guardian 1 April 2002 7 September 2011 Paula Cocozza Pettersen and Moore added another goal each to seal a 4–1 win. Charlton manager Keith Boanas praised the application of his side but admitted they were undone by Fulham's superior fitness.http://www.fulhamweb.co.uk/news/Fulham-Ladies-in-the-Cup-Final.aspx Fulham Ladies in the Cup Final FulhamWeb.co.uk 2 April 2002 7 September 2011 Ben Rice Background The 2002 final represented a record 13th final appearance for Doncaster Belles and the first since 2000, when they lost 2–1 to Croydon. They had previously won the Women's Cup on six occasions in 1983, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1992, and 1994. The match was Fulham's second time in the final after they lost the previous season's event to Arsenal. A former incarnation of the club, known as Friends of Fulham, had competed in three finals; winning in 1985, but losing in 1989 and 1990.England - List of Women Cup Winners https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eng-womcuphist.html 24 July 2011 live RSSSF https://web.archive.org/web/20131111020042/http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng-womcuphist.html 11 November 2013 Although the competition had been run by the Women's Football Association (WFA) since 1970, the Football Association (FA) took over in 1993–94.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/match_of_the_day/2976817.stm BBC Sport Women's FA Cup: The history 1 May 2003 31 October 2011 The 2002 final was the 32nd final overall, the ninth to be played under FA control and the first to be shown live on BBC One. 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.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1913254.stm Fulham lead the way BBC British Broadcasting Corporation 5 May 2002 28 August 2011 London In their second year as the only full-time professional women's club in Europe, they had already won that season's FA Women's Premier League Cup by beating Birmingham City 7–1 in the final. In securing the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division championship Fulham beat one team 22–0. The total number of goals they had put past their opponents in 34 league and cup matches stood at 267. Fulham's striker Pettersen—a World Cup winner and Olympic gold medallist with Norway—went into the final looking for her 87th goal of the season. Fulham's Katie Chapman felt the defeat by Arsenal in the previous season's final was extra motivation for her team mates: "At the end of the day we're professional, and we should win. Last year we didn't, and this year we want that FA Cup."https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/may/02/gender.uk1 Final Countdown The Guardian 2 May 2002 13 October 2013 London Libby Brooks 30% left 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 Norway's Dagbladet reported that Doncaster Belles favoured a typically English style: "heavy, solid and with many long balls."http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/2002/05/07/329319.html Måldronning Pettersens cupfest Dagbladet 7 May 2002 28 August 2011 Oslo no 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. 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. 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.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1929679.stm Belles pile on pressure BBC British Broadcasting Corporation 14 April 2002 31 October 2011 London Tony Leighton 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."http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/belles_in_televised_final_clash_1_514255 Belles in televised final clash Doncaster Free Press 2 May 2002 28 August 2011 Doncaster Peter Catt 18 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120318223736/http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/belles_in_televised_final_clash_1_514255 dead Match Summary thumb|right|Selhurst Park hosted the final for the second year in succession. Doncaster Belles lined up in a traditional 4–4–2 formation. Walker overcame a neck injury to start alongside Handley in attack, with Melanie Garside—who scored the winner in the 2000 semi-final—left on the substitutes' bench alongside veteran Gail Borman.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/may/07/newsstory.sport5 Busy Belles make full-time Fulham sweat for silver The Guardian 7 May 2002 13 October 2013 London Paula Cocozza The Hunt twins, signed earlier in the season from Charlton Athletic, were both selected; having brought "grit, commitment and shape" to a previously disorganised team. Experienced defender Mandy Lowe was given a marking job on Pettersen. Fulham fielded a 4–3–3 formation, with Rachel Yankey and Kristy Moore flanking Pettersen in attack. Both teams wore their home kits; Doncaster Belles in yellow and blue, while Fulham lined up in white and black.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1961918.stm Fulham too strong for Belles BBC British Broadcasting Corporation 6 May 2002 28 August 2011 London In what the Daily Telegraph called a "breakneck speed"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/3027272/Fulham-keep-Belles-from-the-ball.html Fulham keep Belles from the ball The Telegraph Richard Bright 28 August 2011 6 May 2002 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. 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. As the match wore on Pettersen was largely subdued by the close attentions of Lowe.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fulham-too-professional-for-battling-belles-650449.html https://web.archive.org/web/20121109075406/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fulham-too-professional-for-battling-belles-650449.html dead 9 November 2012 Fulham too professional for battling Belles The Independent Tony Leighton 28 August 2011 7 May 2002 Reports in The Guardian, The Independent and the BBC 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 cautioned for a foul at the edge of the penalty area, then Yankey curled the resultant free kick low around a poorly placed defensive wall and past unsighted Belles goalkeeper Hall. On the hour, with Doncaster Belles still recovering, Chapman volleyed in a second goal for Fulham from 20 yards (18m). Seconds later Burke supplied an accurate cross for Handley to head a reply for Doncaster Belles. 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.http://www.cpfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10323~215731,00.html Palace host Cup final Crystal Palace F.C. 28 August 2011 4 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200904024710/https://www.cpfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10323~215731,00.html dead Match details 6 May 2002 13:00 BST Doncaster Belles 1–2 FA reportBBC report Fulham Handley 61 Yankey 55Chapman 60 Selhurst Park, London 10,124 Eddie Evans (Manchester) _bluelower _bluesleevelinesandsides _bluelower _color_3_stripes_yellow FFFF00 FFFF00 FFFF00 0000FF 0000FF Doncaster Belles _blackborder _collarblack _blackborder _band_black FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 000000 FFFFFF Fulham GK 1ENG Leanne HallRB 12ENG Claire UtleyLCB 4ENG Mandy LoweRCB 5SCO Michelle BarrLB 10ENG Carly Hunt 55RW 7ENG Karen BurkeRCM 6ENG Becky Easton (c)LCM 8ENG Vicky ExleyLW 3ENG Gemma HuntFW 9ENG Karen WalkerFW 11ENG Jody HandleySubstitutes:DF 2ENG Lizzie GomersallDF 17ENG Sammy HowarthMF 14ENG Sarah AbrahamsFW 18ENG Gail BormanFW 16ENG Melanie GarsideManager:ENG Julie Chipchase300px GK 1NOR Astrid JohannessenRB 2ENG Kim Jerray-SilverRCB 4DEN Lene TerpLCB 5ENG Mary PhillipLB 12ENG Rachel UnittRCM 3ENG Rachel McArthurCM 6ENG Katie ChapmanRCM 7NOR Margunn Haugenes 90RW 9AUSENG Kristy Moore 61FW 11NOR Marianne Pettersen (c)LW 10ENG Rachel YankeySubstitutes:GK 13ENG Jody SmithDF 15NOR Lynn Rebecca Mork 90DF 14IRL Ronnie GibbonsMF 16BHN Deena RahmanMF 8ENG Sanchia Duncan 61Manager:NOR Gaute Haugenes Player of the match Mandy Lowe (Doncaster Belles) Assistant referees: C Henry (Northants) C Hayes (Surrey) Fourth official: J. E. Pearce (Essex)Match rules 90 minutes 30 minutes of extra-time if necessary Penalty shoot-out if scores still level Five named substitutes, of which up to three may be used Post-match thumb|John Grogan praised the BBC's coverage, but was disappointed with Doncaster Belles' defeat 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."http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1971195.stm Fulham Ladies celebrate cup win BBC 6 May 2002 28 August 2011 London 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." 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." Midfielder Margunn Haugenes, the manager's wife, told Dagbladet that private celebrations in the Haugenes household were unfit for description in a newspaper. The match attracted a crowd of 10,124 and a television audience of two and a half million.What the papers say http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2002/may/07/what-the-papers-say Fulham F.C. official website 7 May 2002 20 July 2013 In a Parliamentary debate the following week, John Grogan praised the BBC's coverage of the match but expressed regret that Doncaster Belles, "the pride of Yorkshire," had been beaten by a team from London.https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmhansrd/vo020513/debtext/20513-03.htm#20513-03_spnew12 Women's Football House of Commons Hansard Debates 13 May 2002 19 September 2011 London Sports Minister Richard Caborn agreed that the coverage, along with the contemporaneous film Bend It Like Beckham, would increase participation levels amongst youngsters: "Anything that we can do to encourage such participation must be welcome." 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."https://books.google.com/books?id=_YHqAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA111 Footballer - My Story 23 October 2013 2013 Kelly Smith Kelly Smith 111 978-0552166430 During the summer break Doncaster Belles turned semi-professionalhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2193136.stm To pay or not to pay BBC Sport 15 August 2002 19 September 2011 London Tony Leighton after securing a major sponsorship deal with Green Flag.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/aug/19/newsstory.sport3 Women's football The Guardian 19 August 2002 13 October 2013 London Paula Cocozza After their promotion Fulham beat Doncaster Belles again, 4–0 this time, on the opening day of the 2002–03 league season. References External links The Women's FA Cup official website Cup Cup Category:Women's FA Cup finals Category:Doncaster Rovers Belles L.F.C. matches FA Women's Cup Category:May 2002 sports events in the United Kingdom Category:2002 in sport in London Category:Sport in the London Borough of Croydon Category:Football matches in London