The 1993 WFA Cup final was the 23rd final of the Women's FA Cup, England's primary cup competition for women's football teams. The showpiece event was the last to be played under the auspices of the Women's Football Association (WFA) prior to their takeover by the Football Association (FA).

1993 WFA Cup final
The match programme cover
Event1992–93 WFA Cup
Date24 April 1993 (1993-04-24)
VenueManor Ground, Oxford
Player of the MatchLesley Shipp
RefereeMike Cairns (Coventry)
Attendance3,547
1992
1994

The final was contested between Arsenal and Doncaster Belles on 24 April 1993 at the Manor Ground in Oxford, with highlights broadcast the following day on Channel 4. Arsenal won 3–0 in front of a crowd of 3,547 to clinch their first WFA Cup.[1][2] As their men's counterpart won the 1992–93 FA Cup, Arsenal became the first club since Southampton in 1976 to win both the men's and women's FA Cup in the same season.

Match

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Summary

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In the first 20 minutes of the match, Gail Borman broke through Arsenal's defence on four separate occasions, but was repeatedly denied by Lesley Shipp in the Arsenal goal. Just before half-time the game swung decisively in Arsenal's favour. First Michelle Curley scored direct from a corner. Then Gillian Coultard was carried off with an injured shoulder following a collision with Debbie Bampton. Naz Ball quickly made it 2–0 by heading in Curley's cross to collect her 38th goal of the season and maintain her record of scoring in every round of the competition.[3]

With 12 minutes remaining Paul Edmunds sent his wife Sheila Edmunds on as a substitute.[2] But two minutes later Debbie Bampton headed Naz Ball's lob past Tracey Davidson to make the score 3–0 and secure the win for Arsenal. At full-time The FA chief executive Graham Kelly presented the trophy, remarking: "Doncaster lost because they didn't have the finishing touch". Arsenal goalkeeper Lesley Shipp was named Player of the Match.[3]

Details

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Arsenal3–0Doncaster Belles
Report
Attendance: 3,547
Referee: Mike Cairns (Coventry)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Arsenal
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Doncaster Belles
GK 1   Lesley Shipp
RB 2   Kirsty Pealling
SW 4   Vicky Slee   37'
CB 5   Gill Wylie (c)
CB 6   Sharon Barber
LB 3   Michelle Curley   78'
DM 7   Sian Williams
DM 8   Debbie Bampton
AM 10   Chris Couling
FW 9   Jo Churchman
FW 11   Naz Ball
Substitutes:
DF 12   Kelley Few   37'
MF 14   Sarah Mulligan
FW 15   Michelle Sneddon
FW 16   Debbie Smith
MF 19   Lisa Spry   78'
Manager:
  Vic Akers
 
GK 1   Tracey Davidson
RB 2   Julie Chipchase
CB 4   Loraine Hunt   78'
CB 6   Michelle Jackson
LB 3   Louise Ryde
RM 7   Ann Lisseman
CM 8   Gillian Coultard (c)   45'
CM 5   Jo Broadhurst
LM 11   Jan Murray
FW 9   Karen Walker
FW 10   Gail Borman
Substitutes:
MF 12   Joy McQuiggan   45'
DF 14   Lorraine Young
FW 15   Sheila Edmunds   78'
MF 16   Karen Skillcorn
Manager:
  Paul Edmunds

Player of the match

Match officials[1]

  • Linesmen:
    • D. Martin (Nottingham)
    • G. Panons (Oxford)
  • Reserve: B.J. Brennan (Banbury)

Match rules

  • 90 minutes.
  • 30 minutes of extra-time if necessary.
  • Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
  • Five named substitutes.
  • Maximum of two substitutions.

References

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  1. ^ a b Slegg, Chris; Gregory, Patricia (6 May 2021). A History of the Women's FA Cup Final. The History Press. p. 113. ISBN 978-0750996594. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b Winter, Henry (25 April 1993). "Football: FA forging links to create a permanent partnership: Henry Winter reports on the interest created by the women's FA Cup final in which Arsenal defeated Doncaster Belles 3-0". The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b Sam Elliott (25 April 1993). "Football / Women's FA Cup Final: Arsenal on trail of the treble: Shipp stands firm as the Belles rue lack of a finishing touch: Sam Elliott reports from Oxford". The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
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