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Addicks regain league cup

Charlton struck the first blow in the battle of the titans of the women's game on Sunday.
With both the female Addicks and their Arsenal counterparts battling to win all three major titles over the coming weeks, Charlton have the upper hand after their 2-1 victory to regain the Premier League Cup trophy, which the Gunners took from them last season.

Two first-half goals from player of the match Eniola Aluko ensured the silverware would return to South-East London.

Although Gunners striker Julie Fleeting set up a tense finish when she pulled one back with just 15 minutes remaining at Wycombe Wanderers FC.

In a great advert for the women's game, which attracted a record crowd for the league cup competition, Charlton were deserved winners at the Causeway Stadium.

And they can take confidence from this performance into their Premier League and FA Cup campaign, where they will again meet Arsenal in the semi-finals.

The North Londonders have dominated the game for many years, but with Charlton's name engraved on the first piece of silverware up for grabs this term, manager Keith Boanas and his team can surely now start to threaten the Gunners crown.

Just as she was the hero for the Addicks in last year's FA Cup final win over Everton, it was Aluko who stole the show with a fantastic brace.

The first, in the 29th minute, was a superb lob over the keeper's head, while she also showed great composure to slot the second, seconds before the half-time whistle into the bottom corner.

It was end-to-end action in the first half, with a plethora of England internationals on display, although it was Arsenal that had the better of the chances and it was the experience of Pauline Cope in goal and poor finishing that went against them.

Lianne Sanderson had only the keeper to beat and shot wide, while Rachel Yankey's long-range effort was just over the crossbar.

Julie Fleeting, who has been the Achilles heel of the Addicks in the past, including scoring in last year's 3-0 defeat in this competition, was lively but her finishing lacked the kind of quality shown by Aluko.

It was just before the half-hour mark that Aluko made her mark.

Captain Casey Stoney took possession in the centre circle and picked out the advancing Addicks striker with a looping ball. The England forward showed great control, nodding the ball down into the path of her feet, taking her past the lonely Gunners defender, and she expertly lofted the ball over the Arsenal keeper's head and into the back of the net.

The crowd erupted as the tune Valley fans usually sing for first-team defender Talal El Karkouri rang out in celebration.

With the lead secured, however, Boanas' side began to sit back and invited pressure from the Gunners attackers, much to the manager's dissatisfaction.

Arsenal were awarded a free kick just outside the area when Sanderson was fouled by Karen Hills. Captain Faye White hit it straight into the wall and Charlton were able to clear the danger.

With 38 minutes gone, Charlton had goalkeeper Cope to thank for preserving their narrow lead.

The ex-England goalie made two great stops in quick succession, driving to her right to stop Fleeting's close-range strike and with outstretched fingertips she prevented Sanderson from scoring what looked certain to be an Arsenal equaliser.

On the stroke of the 45th minute, Alexandra Scott surged forward unchallenged but her solo effect was an easy take for the Charlton number one.

At the other end of the pitch it was a different story.

In first-half injury time Aluko doubled the Addicks' lead. But it was thanks to the persistent battling of Sarah Snare, who set up the goal.

The forward showed great physical strength and a reluctance to give in, when she hassled the ball away from Scott just inside the Gunners half.

Aluko, who now has 15 goals this season, was the obvious target and Snare's pass was perfectly weighted for the Charlton hotshot on the right, who drove low and across the face of goal, the ball nestling right in the bottom corner.

Seconds later the referee signalled for half-time.

The Charlton players emerged from the tunnel buoyed by the perfect timing of their second goal.

Three minutes into the second half and the female Addicks were on the attack again. Jo Potter's crossfield pass was perfect for Amanda Barr on the right, but her powerful shot was just wide of the post.

In the 56th minute Stoney almost made it three in fantastic fashion.

The skipper was some 25 yards from goal wide on the right, but decided to test the Arsenal keeper Emma Byrne. Her long-range effort dipped as it flew towards the goal but not enough and it whistled over the crossbar.

Potter's free-kick was snatched away from the head of Katie Chapman, who worked tirelessly in midfield, by the Gunners stopper in the 64th minute.

Charlton had to be at the top of their game when it came to defending with Arsenal refusing to lie down.

Karen Hills was a rock at the back with Maria Bertelli, playing out of position in central defence, also playing her part.

Fleeting was again thwarted by Cope when her close-range effort somehow squeezed through two defenders, but the Charlton stopper was quick to make the save.

In the 69th minute Jayne Ludlow wasted a golden opportunity to pull one back, with only Cope to beat, but the midfielder could not muster a shot on target.

Seconds later Sanderson burst into the area but her lacklustre finish went straight into the arms of the keeper.

But, in the 75th minute, Charlton switched off at the back and allowed Fleeting to get into another good position. This time she made no mistake from about eight yards.

Arsenal immediately made a substitution, sensing they could mount a comeback in this final perhaps, and a frantic period ensured for the South-East Londoners.

The frustration showed when Stoney's lunging tackle on Sanderson a yard or two behind the 18-yard line that earned her a booking and the Gunners a dangerous free kick.

But Sanderson's free-kick into the area was headed away by Snare, back to help her teammates defend.

Yvonne Tracy had a chance to level it, but Cope read the danger and averted disaster.

In the 82nd minute Boanas decided to bring off two-goal Aluko, who looked to have been feeling the effects of a hamstring strain. But the look on her face as she exited the Causeway pitch said it all...

The substitution, with 17-year-old Ashlee Hincks coming on, had the desired effect and Charlton started to take back some control.

With the clock ticking a desperate Arsenal, fearing they would have to give up their trophy which they have won an impressive six times, continued to push forward.

Snare set Hincks away on the counter-attack, though, but with the Addicks reluctant to commit bodies forward her run was cut short.

Three minutes of injury time was announced and the Charlton half of the crowd began to get anxious. Stoney fed Hincks with the chance to put it out of sight for Boanas' team, but she was adjudged to be offside.

Fleeting collapsed in the area with a last-ditch penalty surely in mind. The referee spotted the dive but there was no booking, despite Cope's protests.

Soon after, arms were thrust into the air as Charlton realised their aim. They had regained the league cup trophy, but perhaps more importantly, they had beaten Arsenal to do it.

For so many years Charlton have lived in the shadow of their North London adversaries.

Could the tide be about to turn?

Charlton Cope, Stoney, Hickmott, Bertelli, Hills, Chapman, Snare, Pond, Aluko (Hincks 82), Barr, Potter,

Subs (not used): Sinclair-Chambers, Cabey-Gooden, Adams, Cardin.

Goals: Aluko 29, 45.

Bookings: Pond 67 (foul on Yankey), Stoney 81 (foul on Sanderson).

Arsenal: Byrne, Yankey (Grant 76), Tracy, Ludlow, Phillip, White, Asante, Smith, Sanderson, Fleeting, Scott.

Subs (not used): Pealling, Champ, McArthur, Larkin

Goals: Fleeting 75.

Ref: P Forrester

Att: 3,506.

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