Sunderland ladies lose in Women's FA Cup Final

May 5 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

UNLIKE their male counterparts, one football team from the region restored some pride at Pride Park yesterday.

Sunderland Ladies could hold their heads high after narrowly losing to Arsenal 2-1 in the final of the Women’s FA Cup Final at the home of Derby County FC.

But the expected rout failed to materialise as Sunderland, massive underdogs before the game kicked off, more than matched their illustrious opponents.

It was Arsenal’s tenth final appearance and tenth triumph thanks to goals from Kate Chapman and Kim Little.

But Sunderland – average age just 19 and a half – refused to surrender and Kelly McDougall scored a deserved consolation with the last kick of the game.

The Black Cats were by no means disgraced against an Arsenal team which won its fourth successive Cup Final and 31st trophy under coach Vic Akers.

The game was held up for five minutes in the second half when Sunderland’s Sophie Williams suffered a seizure on the pitch – just before the hour mark. Happily she was said to be up and talking last night.

Sunderland, who reached the final by upsetting the form book when they beat Chelsea Ladies 3-0 in the semi, can now concentrate on winning promotion from the Northern League Division One.

Arsenal, meanwhile, go head to head with premiership title rivals Everton next week.

The game was watched by a crowd of 23, 291 and televised live on ITV One, further raising the profile of the women’s game.