Two goals from Jordan Nobbs and a third from Chioma Ubogagu gave Arsenal their fourth Continental Tyres Cup victory in five years following a 3-0 defeat of Notts County. The Lady Pies had been reduced to 10 players, after just 30 minutes, following the somewhat harsh straight red card for Laura Bassett for a foul on Vicky Losada.
Laura Bassett by Gino D’Andrea
Notts were already 1-0 down when they were reduced to 10 and Nobbs made it 2-0 shortly afterwards with a shot from 25 yards out that gave Carly Telford no chance. Chioma Ubogagu wrapped up the win with a neat finish in added time.
Three months ago Notts lost to Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in the Women’s FA Cup, and were determined to put up a better fight, and despite being down to 10 players they battled hard, but they had an uphill battle against an Arsenal side determined to reclaim the trophy they lost last season to Manchester City and to add some gloss to what, for them, has been a disappointing season.
Once 2-0 up Arsenal were happy to play keep ball and were able to limit chances for the Lady Pies.
Always a shame for both teams when the match is marred by a contentious decision [made worse by the fact that the Lady Pies were not even able to collect their medals because of some sort of communication error]. Congratulations to Notts County for getting to two finals in one season and to Arsenal for winning the cup. Let’s hope things go a little more smoothly next season!
Teams:
Arsenal: 13 Sari van Veenendaal, 5 Casey Stoney (C), 6 Vicky Losada, 7 Natalia, 8 Jordan Nobbs, 11 Rachel Yankey, 14 Leah Williamson, 17 Marta Corredera, 19 Jemma Rose, 20 Dominique Janssen, 25 Jade Bailey.
Substitutes: 12 Chioma Ubogagu for Natalia 75, 18 Chloe Kelly for Corredera 86, 4 Vyan Sampson for Yankey 89
Substitutes not used: 1 Emma Byrne, 16 Carla Humphrey, 24 Lotte Wubben-Moy, 30 Georgia Allen
Goals: Nobbs 26, 41
Bookings: Corredera, Kelly
Manager: Pedro Martinez Losa
Notts County: 1 Carly Telford, 3 Alex Greenwood, 4 Danielle Buet, 7 Jess Clarke, 8 Rachel Williams, 9 Ellen White, 11 Desiree Scott, 14 Sophie Walton, 15 Amy Turner, 18 Leanne Crichton, 23 Laura Bassett (C).
Substitutes: 6 Fern Whelan for Crichton 44, 20 Aileen Whelan for Walton 66, 30 Laura-Jayne O’Neill for Williams 84
Substitutes not used: 12 Olivia Walker, 19 Ashleigh Plumptre, 25 Alice Hassall.
Bookings: Greenwood, Whelan
Red card: Bassett
Manager: Rick Passmoor
Referee: Jane Simms
Attendance: 5,028
Photo above of Marta Corredera by Gino D’Andrea
