As this season’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup campaign concluded at Wembley Stadium connected by EE, with Manchester United defeating Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 to win their first major honour, Arnold Eagles striker Natasha Leach was presented with the Golden Ball Award in partnership with Mitre and crowned the competition’s top scorer in the 2023/24 season.
The Golden Ball Award in partnership with Mitre recognises and commemorates the top scorer in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, from the First Round Qualifying stage in September through to the Final in May.
Leach, who plays for sixth tier club Arnold Eagles in the East Midlands Women’s Football League Division 1 Central, scored 15 goals in this season’s competition, fending off the likes of Manchester United’s Rachel Williams and Nikita Parris and Tottenham Hotspur’s Bethany England, to claim the award.
Ahead of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final, Leach was invited to Wembley with her family, including her 10-year-old daughter Ella who also plays for the Eagles, as a guest of The FA. Former FA Cup winner Kerry Davis, who is also a prolific goal scorer and third on the list of England’s all-time top scorers, was on hand to present the award. Just before kick-off, Leach had the honour of walking out of the tunnel with the Mitre match ball and placing it on its plinth before the two finalist teams lined up.
Golden Ball Award winner Natasha Leach said: “It’s a huge privilege to be welcomed to Wembley for the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final and to receive the Golden Ball Award in partnership with Mitre.
“The Adobe Women’s FA Cup provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to go up against the very best players in the country, and to have my name on the award will stay with me forever.”
With thanks to the FA
