Darren Spence

It was a huge Bank Holiday weekend for footy in the East Midlands with mixed fortunes for 2 teams and a Nottingham girl who, once again, picked up a losers medal at the Women's FA Cup Final.

Firstly, cast your mind back to Saturday and the final day for most of the Football League. Forest needed to win and they'd be back in the Championship after a 3 year absence.

Doncaster only had to match Forest's result and they'd be up while Colin Calderwood's men would be forced to face the play-offs, again!

Forest moved into a 2-0 and 3-1 leads over Yeovil but the final score of 3-2 made them sweat and hope for a miracle at Cheltenham where the home side were fighting for survival, as well as Doncaster aiming for automatic promotion. It was 1-0 to the home side for ages but when Doncaster equalised, those listening on their radios at the City Ground became nervous spectators of an already tense and close match.

Cheltenham had to go for it, despite Doncaster's dominance and, thankfully for them and Forest, Paul Connor scored a late winner.

Doncaster will now compete in the play-offs against Southend, while Carlisle will play Leeds - all of whom are hoping for that 3rd and final promotion place.

So, dramatic stuff, but nothing compared to what would follow on the Sunday.

The last day of the Championship left all the promotion and play-off places unconfirmed and any one of 5 teams could have gone down, along with Scunthorpe and Colchester.

Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley, Southampton, Coventry and Leicester were all fighting for survival but with Sheffield Wednesday winning so convincingly early on in their match, they were practically safe at half-time.

Southampton's last game was against Sheffield United and they had to tear-up the form book to stay up, while Leicester were away at title-chasing Stoke.

Southampton went 1-0 down then equalised then took the lead, and a 2-1 if Leicester could win as well, Coventry were down - who were being stuffed by Charlton.

Sheffield United pulled it back to 2-2 and a draw at St. Mary's and a draw for Leicester was enough to keep the Foxes up, but with 20 minutes to go (after Leicester had just hit the post) Stern John scored a second to put Southampton 3-2 up and that, combined with a lack of Leicester firepower, was enough to condemn Ian Holloway's men to League 1 football.

When you think that, after everything that happened, one goal was enough for Leicester, it's a shame they couldn't manage it - although they showed plenty of fight and went close on numerous occasions.

So, to Monday, and the Women's FA Cup Final at the City Ground saw Arsenal Ladies versus Leeds United Ladies and a chance for Nottingham girl Katie Holtham to gain revenge over Arsenal for last years' cup final defeat.

Katie scored the game's opening goal for Charlton in their 4-1 defeat 12 months ago and she was determined to help Leeds lift the trophy this time - and she certainly did her bit. She was easily the most determined and focussed outfield player in the first half and the only other reason the two teams went in at half-time at 0-0 was Leeds lack of firepower (apart from a disallowed goal for offside) and the Leeds keeper, who put in a brilliant display, to deny Arsenal's many attacks on goal.

However, Arsenal came out in the second half, as these ladies often do, with an even better sense of purpose and the goals started flying in as they soon took a 3-0 lead.

The final score was 4-1, although many would argue it should have been a much greater margin of victory, as Arsenal completed a league and cup double - again!

Maybe, for Katie Holtham, it will be 3rd time lucky - look out for her in the senior England squad soon. It's only a matter of time, I'm sure.

Posted by Darren Spence on May 06, 2008 at 15:30PM

back to blog index