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Women's FA Cup | Final
Aug 1, 2015 at 3pm UK
 

1-0

So-Yun (37')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Live Commentary: Chelsea Women 1-0 Notts County Women - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: Chelsea Women 1-0 Notts County Women - as it happened: ID:236628: from db_amp
Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of the Women's FA Cup final between Chelsea Women and Notts County Women.

A first-half goal from Ji So-yun has given Chelsea Women their first ever Women's FA Cup win, beating Notts County Women 1-0 at Wembley.

Eniola Aluko set up the South Korean international for the only goal of the match shortly before half time.

It was the first time that the women's final has taken place at the national stadium in the competition's 45-year history.

Read how all the action unfolded below.

Good afternoon! It's around an hour until kickoff at Wembley where Chelsea Women and Notts County Women will both be hoping to win the FA Cup for the first time in the competition's history. The two clubs are both captained by England internationals, with Katie Chapman in her second season with Chelsea, and Laura Bassett leading County.
The Chelsea girls have already completed their short journey across London. Here's the squad arriving at Wembley a short time ago:

The teams have just been announced, so let's take a look at the lineups...
NOTTS COUNTY STARTING XI: Telford, Greenwood, Buet, Clarke, Williams, White, Scott, Walton, Turner, Crichton, Bassett
NOTTS COUNTY SUBSTITUTES: Susi, O'Sullivan, Plumptre, Whelan, O'Neill
The big team news for Notts County is that Carly Telford is fit enough to start. The goalkeeper suffered a dislocated shoulder just a couple of weeks ago, but game through 90 minutes in the Women's Super League last week. It's just as well, because backup Siobhan Chamberlain is on loan from Arsenal, and is not eligible to play, so Telford is the only keeper in today's squad. With club captain Sophie Bradley still recovering from a knee injury that has kept her sidelined for nearly a year, Laura Bassett will wear the captain's armband.
CHELSEA STARTING XI: Lindahl, Blundell, Flaherty, Fahey, Rafferty, Chapman, Bright, Spence, Davison, Ji, Aluko
CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Hourihan, Borges, Coombs, Brett, Banusic
Unsurprisingly, Chelsea's attack will be led by Eni Aluko and Ji So-Yun. Ji has been something of a sensation since joining Chelsea last year. She was named the PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year following her debut campaign in England. Aluko has been in fine goal-scoring form at the start of the WSL season, and is currently the joint-top scorer, with six goals from nine games.
One player who is missing for Chelsea is Fran Kirby. The England international's move to the London side following the World Cup broke the British transfer record for a female player, but her involvement with Reading earlier in the competition means she'll have to watch from the stands today.
Notts County's mascot, Mrs Magpie, has made the journey to Wembley, has been greeting the fans while the players go through their warmups:

Both sides have knocked out one of last year's finalists on their way to today's match. Chelsea eliminated cup holders Arsenal in the quarter-finals before beating Manchester City in the last four. 2014 runners-up Everton were beaten 3-0 by County in the last four, having thrashed Aston Villa 5-1 in the quarters. Both sides have defended excellently to reach the final, conceding just one goal a piece so far.
Sone Aluko featured in the men's FA Cup final in 2014 for Hull City, eventually losing to Arsenal. He's hoping big sister Eni will go one better with Chelsea today:

Chelsea coach Emma Hayes said at her pre-match press conference: "Playing in an FA Cup final at Wembley is what every player and every coach in this country aspires to. Before every cup final you hear managers asking their players to play the game no the occasion, but because this is the first ever women's final at Wembley I think we have to respect the day and its historical significance."
Meanwhile, Notts County manager Rick Passmoor told reporters: "I have been very happy with how we have played in the Cup this season, and I'm hoping we can keep that level up for one more match. The Everton game was my fourth semi-final in the last couple of years, in both this competition and the Continental Cup, so to win and get through to what will be a terrific occasion for the women's game is a terrific achievement for everyone involved with Notts County."
Whichever captain lifts the trophy this afternoon, they will know the man handing it over, as England Women coach Mark Sampson will be presenting the trophy to the victorious side. The Welshman said on Twitter that it is "a true privilege and honour" to be asked to do the duties.
In the WSL, there hasn't been a great deal to separate these two sides so far. Chelsea sit third in the table, just one spot above today's opponents with three more points. However, the Blues come into this match following back-to-back defeats in the league. Notts County also lost last time out, but that followed a win over Liverpool in the previous fixture. When the teams met earlier in the season, it was Chelsea who clinched a 2-1 win.
It's been a busy couple of days for England and Birmingham City winger Karen Carney. She spent yesterday watching England take a 2-1 lead in the Ashes at Edgbaston, and has flown down to London to watch today's final. Oh, and it's her birthday:

Speaking ahead of today's match, Chelsea captain Katie Chapman told BBC London 94.9: "I love every single FA Cup final. Everyone has the same feeling, butterflies in your stomach. Obviously this is going to be the biggest one of the lot, being played at Wembley. It's a dream come true actually. To be the captain of Chelsea and lead that team out, and hopefully win an FA Cup with Chelsea, will be an amazing feeling."
Meanwhile, Laura Bassett told BBC Sport: "[Being the first woman to lift the FA Cup at Wembley] would be an iconic picture, but that is not my motivation. My motivation is to make Notts County Ladies as successful as it can be. I could not care who lifted the cup. I just want the Notts County name to be etched in that trophy."
As you probably noticed from Karen Carney's picture, it's a glorious day weather-wise. It's bright sunshine at Wembley, and that is set to continue for the majority of the match, with next to no chance of rain.
The players make their way out of the Wembley tunnel, led by referee Amy Fearn, who takes charge of the fixture for the second time in her officiating career.
As tends to be the way with cup finals, there are plenty of pre-match formalities to go through before kickoff. First up, FA chairman Greg Dyke and England manager Mark Sampson are introduced to the players by the two captains.
Former The Voice contestant Becky Hill belts out the national anthem, so there's just the handshakes and the team photos to get out of the way and then the action can begin.

KICKOFF! Chelsea get the match underway!
Notts County have had the majority of the ball in the opening couple of minutes, with Jess Clarke and Sophie Walton attempting to work the ball down the right, but Ellen White is eventually tripped by Claire Rafferty, giving County a free kick just outside the box. Hannah Blundell whips it in, but Rachel Williams is unable to get a head to it.
Rafferty is certainly making sure the County players know she's there as she concedes her second foul of the match, knocking down Clarke with a late challenge from behind.
Alex Greenwood forces a throw in level with the penalty box on the left after getting the better of Hannah Blundell, but once again Chelsea do enough to prevent their opponents threatening from a set piece. Chelsea still haven't seen much possession in Notts County's half yet though.
Chelsea are starting to see a little more of the ball as Katie Chapman tries to make a run through the middle, but the captain's progress is halted by Williams. Rafferty blasts a long ball forward in the direction of Aluko, but it goes out.
Ji has been quiet in the opening 10 minutes, but the South Korean international finally gets involved, using her phenomenal footwork to hold off three County defenders, but she eventually loses her footing under pressure.
Chelsea have the first corner of the match as Alex Greenwood has to intervene to stop Gemma Davison getting a shot away. The low deliver comes to nothing though, while Rafferty's ball back into the box after an initial clearance is easily claimed by Carly Telford.
CHANCE! The London side are just starting to show a bit more intent going forward, and that results in Davison putting the ball in the side-netting. Ji thumps the ball in from a free kick before Aluko picks it up. The striker can't turn towards goal, so passes to Davison, but she slices her finish just wide.
Chelsea are on the attack again with Ji playing the ball in towards Aluko again, but Laura Bassett makes the clearance before her England teammate can unleash her shot.
Ji looks to weave her way through the middle, but gets shoved to the ground by Walton right in front of the referee. The winger delivers the ball to Niamh Fahey, but the defender was being closely marked by Bassett, forcing her to hook the ball well high of the crossbar.
Aluko uses her pace to get the better of Walton, allowing her to fire a dangerous looking cross in front of goal, but Drew Spence was unable to get to it in time. Davison attempts to win it back on the edge of the box, but fouls Ellen White in the process.
Notts County have had a lot of defending to do in the last 15 minutes, but White manages to get the ball back down the other end, but Flaherty makes the clearance for Chelsea.
Davison quickly creates problems back down the other end, forcing Amy Turner to put the ball behind for a Chelsea corner. Millie Bright tries to side-foot it in from the edge of the six-yard box, but there are too many players in her way.
CHANCE! Eniola Aluko almost opens the scoring as Telford comes off her line to stop the striker, but the England international chips the ball past the keeper. She slightly overhits the ball though, leaving herself with a tight angle by the time she gets it back, and can only fire into the side-netting.
CHANCE! Aluko is involved again, this time teeing the ball up for Ji, who manages to get some space in the box. The South Korean goes down under pressure from Telford though, leaving the goalkeeper with a comfortable save.
Chelsea still look the more likely at the moment, but Notts County are defending excellently to limit to effect of Aluko and Ji. Aluko does manage to get a probing cross in towards Davison, but the midfielder is unable to get her shot on target. Aluko has had a brilliant 10 minutes for Chelsea.
GOAL! Chelsea Women 1-0 Notts County Women (Ji So-yun)
The first ever Women's FA Cup final goal at Wembley is scored by the PFA Players' Player of the Year, but it's the build up work by Eni Aluko that set it up. The striker skipped into the box before rounding Bassett and passing to Ji. Telford came off her line to try to stop the South Korean, but she chipped it over the keeper before stabbing it over the line for good measure. It does feel like a Chelsea goal has been coming for the last 15 minutes or so.
Notts County quickly push down the other end looking for a quick equaliser, with Bassett among those getting forward, but it comes to nothing for County.
BOOKING! Cheslea captain Katie Chapman picks up the first yellow card of the afternoon for a rather physical challenge on Danielle Buet.
Ji and Chapman work the ball out wide to Davison, who tries to cross the ball in for Spence. The midfielder times her run into the box well, but is closely marked, leaving her shot to go well wide.
There's just one minute of stoppage time to be added on at the end of the first half.
HALF TIME: Chelsea Women 1-0 Notts County Women
So at half time it's Ji So-yun's goal that separates the two sides. Notts County made a bright start at Wembley, but Chelsea have dictated the majority of the match so far. County are still in the tie though.
Here's Ji on the move in the first half:

Notts County haven't done a great deal wrong in the opening 45 minutes. Laura Bassett has led an excellent back four, but Jess Clarke has been rather isolated up front. They'll need to set the ball to her and Ellen White more often if they want to get back on level terms.
Notts County haven't done a great deal wrong in the opening 45 minutes. Laura Bassett has led an excellent back four, but Jess Clarke has been rather isolated up front. They'll need to set the ball to her and Ellen White more often if they want to get back on level terms.
The players are starting to make their way back out ready for the start of the second half.
Laura Bassett calls her teammates around her for a quick huddle before the resumption, urging the side to find a quick equaliser.
RESTART! Notts County get the second half underway.
Chelsea get forward straight away, with Hannah Bundell whipping in a stunning cross towards Aluko, but the striker could not quite get her boot to it, leaving it to flash straight past the Notts County goal. The slightest of touches would have seen that in, and Aluko is understandably disappointed that she couldn't get anything on it.
Hedvig Lindahl didn't have too much to do in the first half in the Chelsea goal, but the keeper has to gather the ball early in the second half as Rachel Williams delivers a promising looking cross for County.
Notts County are definitely seeing more of the ball early in the second half, with Williams and Clarke trying the play their way through the middle, before the latter is fouled by Millie Bright. County can't make the most of the free kick though as Clarke is offside as the ball is played in.
Chapman tries to slip the ball forward to Davison near the corner flag, but Greenwood does enough to win the ball back for County. Meanwhile, it looks like Notts County are getting ready to make a substitution.
SUB! Notts County do indeed make the change, with Rachel Williams going off and Dunia Susi taking her place.
CHANCE! Jess Clarke is really battling down the right flank, and she manages to get the better of Rafferty to force a corner. Buet whips is in towards Bassett, who can't quite reach it, before Desiree Scott hits it first time on the edge of the box, but it's deflected wide.
CHANCE! Leanne Chrichton almost gets the equaliser from the set piece as she creeps towards the near post unmarked before rising highest, but Chelsea have Davison on the post to make the block.
Aluko quickly gets the ball back down the other end as Chelsea push for a second. She squares it for Ji, but the South Korean can't get to it, while Davison loses out to Scott.
CHANCE Aluko keeps them ball herself this time as slices it past Buet to force a save from Telford, but the County keeper does enough to tip it around the post for a corner.
Aluko has probably been the best attacking player on the pitch this afternoon, but she proves her worth in defence too, sprinting back to stop Clarke getting a cross in for County.
Substitute Susi tries to use her pace to get past Rafferty, but Gilly Flaherty is there to help out her defensive teammate, blocking the County midfielder's cross. Chelsea just seem to have dropped back a little in the last couple of minutes. Maybe they're starting to think about defending their one-goal lead rather than pushing for a second.
CHANCE! Just as it looks like Chelsea are starting to defend their lead, Aluko goes on another stunning run through the middle, forcing Greenwood to turn the ball behind for a corner. A second goal for Chelsea now would surely seal it. Ji curls it in and Aluko flicks it towards the County goal. Flaherty gets the final touch, but she can only tap it over the crossbar.
SUB! Notts County make their second change as Danielle Buet is replaced by Aileen Whelan.
Notts County are still pushing to get back on level terms as Greenwood forces Rafferty to put the ball behind for a corner. Greenwood curls it back in, but no-one manages to get a foot to it to test Lindahl.
It's a record crowd for the Women's FA Cup final this afternoon:

SUB! Chelsea make their first change, and it's a slightly-limping Eni Aluko who goes off, with Ana Borges coming on in her place.
SUB! Notts County make their last roll of the dice too, as Leanne Crichton is replaced by striker Fiona O'Sullivan. It's an attacking move by County.
Chelsea are starting to use every opportunity to run down a few more seconds as Susi takes as long as possible to line up a throw in, while Chapman and Davison pass the ball between themselves on the left flank.
Borges races forward, taking the ball out towards the corner flag before forcing it behind off Greenwood. Ji slowly lines up the resulting corner before taking is short to Spence. It's really all about running down the clock down.
SUB! Chelsea make the final change, and it's a standing ovation as Ji So-yun heads off to be replaced by Laura Coombs. Barring a late equaliser, it will be the South Korean's strike that wins it for Chelsea.
Notts County have three minutes to try to find the elusive equaliser. White pressed forward, but Blundeel is there to win it back for make the clearance. Down the other end, Davison quickly takes the ball to the corner flag trying to run down some more time, but Bassett is having none of it and hacks the ball away.
FULL TIME: Chelsea Women 1-0 Notts County Women
Ji So-yun can barely watch from the bench as the final seconds tick down, but as the final whistle is blown it confirms that her goal has won the FA Cup for Chelsea.

So, that's all from this match, but if you're a Chelsea fan make sure you join us again tomorrow for coverage of the men's team in action in the Community Shield against Arsenal. Thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.

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