August 13, 2001

Arsenal lift England FA Umbro Charity Shield

by Colin A. Aldis

Arsenal 5 Doncaster 2

FA Umbro Charity Shield

Kingsmeadow Stadium, Kingston, Surrey

August 11th 2001, ko 12.00 noon

Attendance: 1103 Weather: Cloudy, 20 C

Scoring

Arsenal: Ciara Grant 5th minute.

Doncaster: Melanie Garside 6.

Arsenal: Jayne Ludlow 12.

Arsenal: Marieanne Spacey 20.

Doncaster: Karen Walker 49.

Arsenal: Jayne Ludlow 71.

Arsenal: Angela Banks 92.

Arsenal

1. Byrne, Emma (GK) (Wayne, Toni 88)

2. Pealling, Kirsty

3. Stoney, Casey (Tracey, Yvonne 71)

4. Ludlow, Jayne

5. McDonald, Pauline

6. White, Faye

7. Williams,Sian (C)

8. Grant, Ciara (Maggs, Ellen 76)

9. Spacey, Marieanne (Moore, Emma 80)

10. Banks, Angela

11. Wheatley, Clare (Champ, Leanne 48)

Doncaster

1. Hall, Leanne (GK)
2. Petrovic, Dani (Gomersall, Lizzie 88)
3. Copeland, Stacey
4. Lowe, Mandy
5. Embleton, Aran (McCool, Gemma 78)
6. Easton, Becky (C)
7. Burke, Karen
8. Exley, Vicky
9. Walker, Karen
10. Garside, Melanie (Borman, Gail 61)
11. Abrahams, Sarah (Torr, Jo 84

Misconduct

YC: L. Hall (Doncaster) 46+ min

YC: J. Ludlow (Arsenal) 91 min

Referee: J. Frampton (Dorset)

Match report

On the traditional opening day game of the 2001-02 season, in a match to support the breast cancer campaign the ‘gunners’ started where they left off, by beating Doncaster Belles, this time by 5-2.

There were early goals for both teams, with Arsenal taking the lead, after just 5 minutes, thanks to quick thinking by captain Sian Williams, who played a free kick to the left for Ciara Grant, and the Irish International slotted the ball passed Leanne Hall into the right corner of the net. But from the kick-off, the ball went forward for Mel Garside, who was given space to hit a low shot into the left corner from 15 metres.

The ‘Belles’ were having to manage without the services of stalwart Gillian Coultard (now retired) and Clare Utley (injured)

Last season’s top scorers combined to give Arsenal a 2-1 lead in the 12th minute, when

Angela Banks broke free on the left, and her low cross was met by Jayne Ludlow who slid in to lift the ball into the roof of the net from close range. Just 8 minutes later, it was 3-1, as an unmarked Marieanne Spacey received the ball just inside the area, and powered it pass the stranded keeper into the bottom right corner.

Although Doncaster created a few chances, it was Arsenal who went to another goal, when a looping shot by Angela Banks hit the top of the bar, and bounced over. Just before the break, there was an unfortunate clash between Leanne Hall and Arsenal secretary Clare Wheatley, with the latter being taken off by stretcher, and then going to hospital for an X-ray on her knee, while the keeper was shown the yellow card, and referee Janie Frampton had awarded a penalty. The delay had obviously affected the concentration of the normally reliable Marieanne Spacey, and her spot kick hit the outside of the base of the left post.

Doncaster started the 2nd half in positive mood, and Karen Walker struck a low shot into the right corner, to make it 3-2. Arsenal fought back to control much of the play, and in the 71^st minute, Jayne Ludlow broke away from just inside the ‘Belles’ half, and had the composure to hit a low shot into the right corner, to restore the lead for the last 20 minutes. In stoppage time, Jayne Ludlow was cautioned for delaying a free kick. But the ball was won back, and a neat pass by the substitute, and new signing Emma Moore, allowed Angela Banks to fire it into the left corner, for the 5-2 win.

Other

Arsenal had a fairly comfortable win, just a week ahead of the new league program, which will see them travel north to take on newly promoted Leeds United. Doncaster are at home to the 'Saints'.