Published: 4 August, 2015
By PAUL COWLING at Wembley Stadium

Women’s FA Cup final
CHELSEA LADIES 1, NOTTS COUNTY LADIES 0

CAMDEN’S place in the history of football was forever etched in silver after Chelsea manager Emma Hayes led her team to victory in the first Women's FA Cup final to be held at Wembley.

The Blues’ boss said she “enjoyed every minute” of her side’s first trophy following a deserved 1-0 win Notts County in front of a record 30,710 crowd.

“We, as coaches, work hard for days like this,” beamed the former Parliament Hill School pupil. “I have dreamed about this day my whole life. Dreams can be disappointing, but this one wasn’t.

“We took a little time to settle, but it was hot out there. I am so proud of my players, we used the width of the pitch, and scored at a crucial time.”

Hayes also paid tribute to player-of-the-match Eniola Aluko, who set up her strike partner, Ji-So-Yun, with the decisive goal on 37 minutes. 

“Aluko was exceptional,” said Hayes (above).

After a cautiously quiet first half-hour, the match sprang to life when Aluko found Korean international Ji, who poked the ball home from close range. The Blues had the best of the few first-half chances, and were good value for their lead.

The County team, known as the “Lady Pies”, had their best spell on the hour mark. Desiree Scott’s shot got a deflection, and from the resulting corner Leanne Chrichton saw her goal-bound header hacked off the line by Gemma Davison.

In the end Chelsea needed just the one goal to earn a famous win, but Hayes said it could have been a more convincing scoreline. 

“We could have won by more,” she added. “But now I don’t have to be ferried around in a golf cart as the manager without a trophy. I can also attend the club’s next dinner and not feel like a spare part!”

CHELSEA: Lindahl, Blundell, Flaherty, Fahey, C Rafferty. Chapman, Bright, Spence, Davison, Ji So-Yun (Coombs, 89), Aluko (Borges, 80)
Substitutes not used: Hourihan, Brett, Banusic.
Attendance: 30,710