2000 FA Women's Cup final explained

2000 FA Women's Cup Final
Event:1999–00 FA Women's Cup
Team1:Doncaster Belles
Team1score:1
Team2:Croydon Women
Team2score:2
Date:1 May 2000
Stadium:Bramall Lane
City:Sheffield
Woman Player1:Pauline Cope
Referee:Janie Frampton (Dorest)
Attendance:3,434
Previous:1999
Next:2001

The 2000 FA Women's Cup Final was the 30th final of the FA Women's Cup, England's primary cup competition for women's football teams. It was the seventh final to be held under the direct control of the Football Association (FA). The match was contested by Doncaster Belles and Croydon Women at Bramall Lane in Sheffield on 1 May 2000. Croydon made its third final appearance, after winning in 1996 but losing the 1998 final. Doncaster Belles entered a record 12th final having won the trophy on six previous occasions.

Croydon entered the competition at the fourth round stage and beat Tranmere Rovers, Liverpool, Everton and Leeds United to reach the final. Doncaster Belles also entered at the fourth round and faced Brighton & Hove Albion, Garswood Saints, Wembley Mill Hill and holders Arsenal before reaching the final.[1] Doncaster's 3–2 semi final victory over Arsenal took place at Field Mill before Sky Sports television cameras.[2]

It was reported that Doncaster had been gripped by Cup final excitement after the Belles reached the final for the first time in six years. The club laid on coaches for the short trip to Bramall Lane and an official Cup final song, Northern Pride, was recorded by the team.[3]

Croydon won the match 2–1, with goals from Carmaine Walker and Gemma Hunt. Vicky Exley had equalised for the Belles, while Karen Walker had a penalty kick saved by Croydon goalkeeper Pauline Cope.[4]

Hunt's winning goal was disputed, with Doncaster players arguing the ball had not crossed the goal line.[5]

Match details

GK 1 Leanne Hall
DF 4 Mandy Lowe
DF 5 Claire Utley
DF 6 Michelle Jackson
DF 2 Lizzie Gomersall
DF 3 Aran Embleton
MF 8 Gillian Coultard (c)
MF 7 Denise Thomas
MF 11 Vicky Exley
FW 9 Karen Walker
FW 10 Melanie Garside
Substitutes:
MF 14
FW 12
FW 15 Jo Torr
DF 17 Lizzie Howden
DF 16 Emma Glenc
Manager:
Julie Chipchase
GK 1 Pauline Cope
DF 6 Kyproulla Loizou
DF 5 Gill Wylie (c)
DF3 Julie Fletcher
DF 7 Emily Arnold
MF 4 Gemma Hunt
MF2 Sharon Barber
MF 8 Debbie Bampton
MF 11 Tara Proctor
FW 9 Carmaine Walker
FW 10 Joanne Broadhurst
Substitutes:
DF 16 Alex Cottier
FW 15 Alexa Hunn
DF 12
GK 17 Andrea Cowan
DF 14 Julie Darby
Player/Manager:
Debbie Bampton

Notes and References

  1. News: Women's F.A. Cup 1999/2000. The Owl Football Historian. 2012-09-05 . Andrew. Drake . https://web.archive.org/web/20121011235142/http://www.btinternet.com/~a.drake/women/Historical/wfa99.htm. 2012-10-11.
  2. News: Women's FA Cup 2000. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2012-09-05 . 2000-07-12 .
  3. News: Doncaster's Blue and Yellow Army. Doncaster Free Press. 7 August 2011. 27 April 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20120318223700/http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/doncaster_s_blue_and_yellow_army_1_514608. 2012-03-18.
  4. News: Croydon triumph in women's final. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2012-09-05 . 2000-05-01 .
  5. News: Hunt keeps Croydon on double track. The Guardian. 2012-09-05 . 2000-05-02. Sarah. Hughes .