ARSENAL BAG CONTINENTAL CUP IN HARSH DEFEAT FOR NOTTS COUNTY

ARSENAL LADIES 3 V NOTTS COUNTY LADIES 0
CONTINENTAL CUP FINAL @ THE AESSEAL NEW YORK STADIUM
1 NOVEMBER 2015 3PM


ASSEAL NEW YORK STADIUM

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Arsenal lifted the Continental Cup thanks to two strikes from Jordan Nobbs and a late mazy run from substitute Chimoa Ubogagu.  But much of this game rested on the harsh sending off of Notts captain Laura Bassett on 35 minutes up until this stage the lady pies had much the best of the encounters.  Indeed their second half performance with 10 still produced many chances in a game that they and their supporters could be proud of the effort shown against the odds.

MILLERS BEAR AND LADY PIE MASCOTS

After a mad dash from  Sunday Morning football viewing it was time to take up the short journey to Rotherham and once the connection was made at Sheffield it was clear that the game would be well attended with a nice selection of County supporters awaiting the Bridlington bound train.
Having passed through Meadowhall we very shortly weaved our way past the old Millmoor ground with flood lights standing proud.  As the train curved into Rotherham Central The New York Stadium towers into view adjacent to the railway line.  Indeed Rotherham Utd grounds have been excellent for train station positioning with the old station being a short goal kick away from Millmoor and the shiny new one also well placed.

SELFIE WITH GUNNERSAURUS

On arrival at New York many of the usual activities were well underway Continental football skills area, Arsenal merchandise stall, Rotherham Utd represented with their community football team and of course the mascots were appearing too.
Berry Bear who I had previously met at Burton Albion a few years ago for an England Ladies friendly was about to be joined today by Arsenal's Gunnersaurus the Dinasour.  This is a big and cumbersome mascot but how the incumbent inside made a good impression later inside the ground with his dancing and audience participation.  While moving around to the ticket office for collection of todays seat allocation along the walkway another photo op with Notts Countys lady magpie, pink trainers, and Rotherham Utd had joined in with their mascot Miller Bear.
The women's game has been taking off superbly well over the last few years and from some games I saw in its infancy is now almost unrecognisable with some good participation levels.  Indeed the success of England Ladies in the World Cup this year as added to an increased awareness of the game.  Last season the blog took in a few Derby Ladies games and this season has also enjoyed two games at Meadow Lane in front of some healthy crowds, todays was 5,028.

BERRY BEAR PRE MATCH

To this affect the Lionesses third placed finish in The World Cup was superbly driven by England Manager Mark Sampson and his staff who the blog managed to get a little picture of as he was surrounded by autograph hunters further enhancing the games progression theory.

ENGLAND MANAGER MARK SAMPSON ARRIVING AT THE NEW YORK

The New York Stadium had been visited for Rotherham's play off game versus Preston a few seasons back and you have to admire the ground its certainly not a new concrete boxed stadium. 

AMAZING FLOODLIGHTS AT THE NEW YORK

The seats are well positioned and steeply raked with the hanging floodlights encased in circular support frames proudly standing above the East Stand.  Correct music selection for football matches to be played over the public address system are a must and Rotherham always seem to get it right today it was superb and the clearness of the announcements were good too.

PUKKA PIE STAND......MMMPIES

PIES IN PRE MATCH WARM UP

Trips to Notts earlier in the season and I of course today meant the chance to sample, again, Pukka Pies chicken Balti effort polishes down with a tea.  Its league prices at a fiver but this flavour of pie takes some beating!


REFEREE JANE SIMMS SOON TO HAVE AN IMPORTANT PART IN THIS FNAL
 

So to the game and Notts started at a pace with Laura Bassett forcing Arsenal number 1 Sari Van Veenedaal into an excellent save.  Jess Clarke was next up with a close range effort that she steered just wide.
Just as Notts seemed to have a firm foothold in the game Arsenal broke away with the pace of England international Nobbs who raced away down the right and fired past Carly Telford to give the Gunners the lead.

The game changing moment came with ten minutes to half time Notts captain Bassett won the ball with a sharp tackle on Vicky Losada but to the amazement of most of the crowd referee Jane Simms produced an immediate red card.  This looked a harsh decision and indeed on replays seen later it still looked harsh.  Let me say in defence of referee Simms who I have witnessed in many non league games she is a good referee and was well placed for this incident, but today a lot of 50/50's seemed to go Arsenal's way.
This had a big effect on the game unfortunately and Notts still looked shocked when Nobbs was given to much time on the ball and she lashed home a lovely strike from 25 yards on 42 minutes.

JESS CLARKE BREAKS THROUGH

Notts had got back into battling mode and the inspiring Rachel Williams headed against the bar just before the break.
The break brought Notts the time to reorganise and the early stages of the second half they looked determined to get back into the game.  It was Ellen White whose power and tireless running provided here with a chance straight away but Arsenals number one pulled off a sharp save.

A FEW MORE YARDS PLEASE

Before we get to the final Arsenal goal that settled the game in the later stages it has to be said Notts County Ladies gave everything to this game and second half with tireless running all over the pitch to make up for the player loss and with full endeavour to get back into the final.
In the final stages substitute Ubugagu weaved her way through the left hand side of the penalty box and close to the bye line steered the ball over the line with the gentlest of touches to allow the Arsenal players and supporters to settle into a confident belief that the 2015 Continental Cup Winners would be lifting the trophy just after 5 past 5.

THIS WAY PLEASE

The presentation seemed to take for ever, probably TV demands, and when it did it was aimed towards the TV cameras in the main stand, with only sponsor and guest in it, which gave a back view to the crowd who were positioned for TV viewing in the other 3/4's of the ground.  That was a little bit of a shame as was the non presentation of Notts County with their runners up medals.
Before the presentation thankfully County had gone around and acknowledged their supporters who had put up a tremendous level of encouragement not only today but season long.
Arsenal lifted the trophy shortly afterwards and as the streamers fired off to celebrate the Gunners continuing success in the women's game it was time to move off to the station for the return train.
On the return journey the station and the trains were packed with returning Notts fans and I even managed to share some standing room with the England manager Mark Sampson, not many England managers would be enjoying the delights of a rattling pacer train just after five o clock on a Sunday evening.  Good that the women's game, at the moment, still remains close to the fans lets hope it continues to do so.


ON DEPARTURE MILLMOOR IN THE NOVEMBER SKYLINE