From Arsenal website

The draw for the women's FA Cup semi finals to be played on Sunday march 12th has been made and Arsenal are poised to play Charlton Athletic in the last four if they can overcome Chelsea in the quater final on Sunday Feb 17th.

In the other semi final Leeds United face Liverpool to determine who reaches the showpiece final.

What's everyone take on this. The final being played a round to early maybe?

Sixth Round Results:
Birmingham City 1:3 Leeds United
Chelsea 1:6 Arsenal
Bristol Academy 0:5 Charlton Athletic
Newcastle United ( 8 ) 2:2 ( 9 ) Liverpool


SF:
Leeds United v Liverpool
Arsenal v Charlton Athletic


Dates of Rounds:
Sixth Round - Sunday 12 February 2006
Semi Final - Sunday 12 March 2006
Final Monday - 1 May 2006


Prize Fund Payments:
Preliminary Round (2) £75
First Round Qualifying winners (72) £100
Second Round Qualifying winners (36) £150
First Round Proper winners (40) £250
Second Round Proper winners (20) £350
Third Round Proper winners (22) £500
Fourth Round Proper winners (16) £600
Fifth Round Proper winners ( 8 ) £750
Sixth Round Proper winners (4) £1,250
Semi Final winners (2) £2,500
Runners-Up (1) £1,000
Winners (1) £5,000

Source: theFA.com

I wonder who's gonna be guarding Arsenal's goal during the semi final game
since Emma will probably be in Algarve playing for Ireland

Good point Agent Smith!!!

I hadnt thought of that one

So now it's March 19th? Emma should be back by then

From Arsenal's site:

Arsenal LADIES v CHARLTON
FA Women's Cup
Semi Finals
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Bishop's Stortford FC
Kick-off: 3pm

Arsenal will face Charlton in the last four of the FA Women's Cup
after beating Chelsea in the Quarter-Finals at the weekend.

Charlton now stand in the way of Vic Akers' side in both domestic cup competitions
- the London rivals also meet in the League Cup Final on Sunday, March 5.

The FA Cup clash will take place at Bishop's Stortford FC on Sunday, March 19 at 3pm.

Admission prices are as follows:
Adults £3, Concessions £1,
Under-16s and OAPs 50p per ticket group rate for groups of 15 or more
(in advance by booking form only)

Charter Standard groups to apply for up to 50 free tickets (in advance by booking form only)

For more information please visit
www.thefa.com or Bishop's Stortford website at http://www.bsfc.co.uk/

FA Cup SF: Leeds v Liverpool

Leeds United Ladies are looking for support to get behind the team when they play Liverpool Ladies.

Sunday 12th March at Nethermoore Park, Guiseley F.C.
3.00pm Kick Off
Admission Cost
£3 adults
£1 concessions (under-16s/OAPs)
50p per ticket group rate for groups of 15 or more (in advance by booking form only)
Charter Standard groups to apply for up to 50 free tickets (in advance by booking form only)

Tickets can be purchased in advance via this site or pay on the turnstile on the day.

Leeds are hoping to attract a big crowd as they bid to reach their first ever major Cup Final, Leeds have performed well in games with a crowd behind them, and with the game being held Nr Leeds they are hoping to make that an advantage and are appealing to fans to come along and support the girls.

After Leeds have faced National Premier League teams Doncaster Belles, Everton & Birmingham City so far, it was a pleasant surprise for the club to face opposition from the Northern Premier League. Liverpool are currently top of the Northern Premier league and are looking for a quick return back to the National Premier League.

This weekend Leeds must put the FA Cup to one side and concentrate on the League, they play second placed Everton away in a game that Everton will surely be looking for revenge after Leeds knocked last seasons FA Cup finalists out of the cup in the fifth round a month ago.

Leeds will welcome back Nicole Emmanuel back into the squad after missing the last game through illness and England Under 19s defender Sophie Clough is pushing for a starting place after having surgery on her knee and out since September.Sophie is looking forward to helping the team in the closing stages of the season " It has been hard being out injured for so long, I have been to all the home games watching the team and been up at training most weeks but it not the same as being involved in games, but I have been back in full training now for nearly a month so its a case of building my fitness back up. I really want to play in part in the last couple of league games and the FA Cup semi final, the girls have done so well since Christmas it will be hard to break into the team but I will be pushing them and see what happens.

Manager Julie Chipchase want the team to focus on the league for now " We play Everton on Sunday which is a big game for us, we will be focusing on that game only for now, Everton would love to get there revenge for us knocking them out the cup and beat us, we must be aware and be ready for them. Everton are a team full of quality Internationals and have only been beaten once in the league this season so far, We are capable of going over there and picking up a result, we are playing well and working hard as a unit and must not let the recent high standard drop. There will be no talk of the semi final this weekend, just going to Everton and coming back with three points, that's what I want from the team. We have started to get a few of the injured players back into contention so we have real competition for a place in the squad for the first time since October, this week is too early for Captain Natalie Preston to come back in contention but she may well be pushing for next week if she carries on improving with her rehab.

Source: femalesoccer.net

Well the backup keeper is Lauren Wells but she ain't even been on the bench for ages so I am not sure if she is still at the club as Rebecca Spencer another keeper has been more involved recently. So to answer you it will be either Lauren Wells or Rebecca Spencer between the sticks.

"We are going there to win!"
Liverpool Captain Gayle ‘Fez’ Formston previews the FA Cup Semi Final.

Who would have thought it possible last summer that Liverpool Ladies would progress through to the semi-final stages of the FA cup! I don’t even think I would have believed it myself. It has been a tremendous feat to reach this round of such a prestigious competition following a pre-season of rebuilding both on and off the pitch.

Although we doubtlessly enter the tie as firm underdogs, I’m sure nobody can question how hard we have worked and that we thoroughly deserve to be there. We have ridden our luck a couple of times along the way but we have also played some attractive football and showed dogged determination when it has been needed.

Leeds may well already have one eye on the final with this being their ‘easiest’ tie so far after facing National Division opposition in all their previous rounds. However we are out to show that we should indeed be a National Division outfit ourselves as we have the set-up off the field and the ability on it to compete at that level.

Last season's league encounters with them were both well fought out affairs and although Leeds were victorious on both occasions it could have been very much a different scenario had we converted the chances we made in those games. I don’t believe we were out-classed in either and thus we will be entering this match with optimism and belief.

Of late our league results have been disappointing but they have in no way been a fair reflection of our performances on the day. We all know within the club the minor things that need ‘tweaking’ and have already set about working hard on them in training. If we put it all into practice on March 12th then it will be very much a case of ‘game-on’. The team spirit and work ethic amongst the squad continues to impress and hold us in good stead. Whilst our opposition can boast a host of England internationals with vast experience as well as some very promising youngsters, we can ourselves offer up some amazing talent so we will not be star-struck or overawed. If we all perform to our best we can provide a match for them and go on to gain a positive result.

It will for me personally be a strange kind of day having recently spent three happy seasons playing at Leeds before returning to sign for Liverpool last season. I still have many good friends at the club but there will be no divided loyalties for me once kick off comes! I’m sure my mates in the other camp wont be out to give any favours either though!

It has been 10 years since this club last reached the final of the FA cup, a game which was played at the New Den (the venue for this years final) against Croydon, who are now known as Charlton Athletic!.

Could history repeat itself? Well with our endeavour, passion, belief and ability there is absolutely no reason why it can’t.

Source: Fair Game

Leeds-Liverpool postponed

This afternoon's first FA Women's Cup Semi-Final tie between Leeds United and Liverpool
has been postponed.

The match at Guiseley FC, which was due to kick off at 3 o'clock, has been affected by the snow lol

The match will now be played next Sunday, 19 March
at the same time as the other Semi-Final between Arsenal and Charlton.
Both kick off at 3pm.


3pm, Sunday 19 March

Leeds United v Liverpool (At Guiseley FC - postponed due to snow)
Arsenal v Charlton Athletic (At Bishops Stortford FC)

Final Monday - 1 May 2006

From the FA Site:

Trophy Chasers

Charlton Athletic are aiming for their fourth consecutive FA Women's Cup Final this week with the treble firmly in their sights - but first they must first overcome arch-rivals Arsenal in a semi-final showdown on Sunday.

Eniola Aluko scored both goals in their recent 2-1 League Cup Final victory - the north London side's first ever defeat in a cup final.

And the teenage goalscoring sensation believes a win at the weekend would put them in pole position for a clean sweep of the domestic trophies and allow them entry into European competition next season.

Eniola said:"We can win the treble if we beat Arsenal in the semi-finals. We will relish the opportunity to defend our trophy.

"I wouldn't say we are favourites for The Cup, but having won it last year we have got more experience and that is in our favour.

"We have got The League Cup already and we are in a good League position so now it is just a case of winning every game.

"The league is the one that I want because it will allow us the chance to play in Europe where every footballer, whether they are male or female, wants to pit themselves against the best.

"I have won The FA Women's Cup and The FA Women's Premier League Cup and I have got those memories, but I have never won the league. Every time I win a new cup the feelings will be different of course, but the league is the one I want."

Charlton, who have lost just once this season, are currently three points behind Arsenal in The FA Women's Premier League with just four games left to play this season.

Aluko admits the two clubs are building a healthy rivalry, but although the games can become fiery on the pitch the two squads remain friends off it.

She added: "There is competition between the two clubs, but at the same time we all meet up when we play for England. We have massive respect for each other.

"We all want to play in the big games and when the whistle goes we all get stuck in, but off the pitch we are all very good friends.

"Arsenal have got great players and they are very good team. It is always going to be great competition between the two sides and hopefully it will provide a good game for the fans."

From Arsenal.com:

Arsenal will have revenge in mind when they take on Charlton in the FA Cup Semi-Final
on Sunday at Bishops Stortford FC, ko 3pm.

Vic Akers’ team were beaten by the same side
in the League Cup Final at Wycombe earlier this month.
It is also nip-and-tuck in the League.
Arsenal head the table but Charlton are third with five points fewer.
However they have a game in hand.

It all makes Sunday’s game vital to the season for Arsenal Ladies.

Captain Faye White took time out from her preparations to talk to Arsenal.com
about the match at the weekend.

Do you have special motivation after losing the League Cup Final to Charlton?

“Yes of course we do. We feel that we controlled a large amount of the possession of the game but struggled to score or convert our chances. That is unlike us with the quality of strikers we have. No one likes to lose in a Final and so we are all very much focused on ensuring that we make up for this in the FA Cup Semi-Final on Sunday.”

What are the qualities of the Charlton side?

“If you look at their defensive record in the League you can see that they haven’t conceded too many goals. I think that when they approach matches against us they do adopt a very defensive game-plan, keeping their back line and midfield very compact with the aim of hitting us on the break. They did it effectively in the League Cup Final."

Are you the best two teams in the country?

“Yes it’s normally us or Charlton that make it to the bigger profile finals or have been fighting it out for the top spot in the league over the last few years. But that is not to say that it’s a two-horse race.

"Everton and Leeds, in particular, have very strong teams that have proved difficult to beat over the last few years. In general the standard of the League has consistently been rising and pushed us to keep raising our own standards not only as a team but individually.”

Is this important because it gets a trophy in the cabinet this season no matter what happens in the League.

“The FA Cup is the competition that has all the glamour and high profile surrounding it so, for me, this is the most special out of the two cup competitions. At the end of this season we obviously will see an end of an era in that fact that we say goodbye to Highbury and move to a new stadium and so everyone involved in the Ladies team is really focused on doing our best to finish the season and celebrate the Highbury farewell with some silverware.”

Finally, what has the run-in to the Semi-Final been like?

“Well as a team we have only had one main training session where the whole group has been together because our Irish and Welsh players have been away on international duty for their countries.

“So it hasn’t been ideal preparation but saying that they have come back very refreshed and the morale and banter within the squad during our last season was very positive.”

After 90 mins, the game ended 1-1 so extra time is needed. Exciting!
Fleets scored for Arsenal and Aluko for Charlton, no big surprises there

Arsenal - Charlton 2-1!
JaaAAYYYyne Ludlow



Reports by Agent Smith

Well done to Arsenal

Into the final and an easy ground to get too , sounds like they made hard work of it but they got revenge

What a game, I had such a good time today!

Arsenal played a LOT better than in the League Cup Final.
Good, tight defence, good work in the midfield, shots on goal,
everything you need in a football game

It is hard for me to even single out one player
but I feel like I owe Alex Scott an apology
- not only she played great today,
I think she might have read my complaints
about her not wanting to pass the ball to Kelly Smith
because today whenever she found Kelly, she was passing the ball to her
Good job Alex!

And I think someone has cloned Emma Byrne
and let the clone play today
because it was a totally different Emma from the one who played in the LC Final

The whole Arsenal team played well today:
Faye White (who was lucky not to be sent off - she was a naughty girl today)
Mary Phillip & Anita Asante who were doing their job very well
- not letting anyone squeeze past the Arsenal defence for most of the time;
Alex Scott whom I have mentioned already, had a great game;
Kelly Smith & Jayne Ludlow doing a good job in the midfield
- Jayne also scored the deciding goal which took us to the FA Cup Final
Kelly nearly broke her neck when she was tackled and landed upside down,
with her legs kicking the air like a turtle when you turn it upside down
and it's not able to turn the right side up That was not a nice view.
Rachel Yankey and Lianne Sanderson had some good opportunities, but did not manage to score
They played well through the game though.
And finally Fleets who scored the first goal
It was so good to see Arsenal playing so well as a team
CONGRATULATIONS - the place in the final fully deserved.

Now: Charlton.
I can't really say they played bad.
They played pretty much the same as in the League Cup Final.
Good performances by the whole team, especially Katie Chapman, and Pauline Cope,
but that was not enough to stop the Gunners

It was a really good game and I am so happy lalalalalala - Thank you Jayne!

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come on you Gooners!!!!!!

I didnt think Jayne Ludlow could get much better, but this season she has proved me wrong and really gone up in my estimations

Ever since the Community shield in August 2005 she has just shone and hasn't looked back.

Ludders=Legend!!!!!!

FA Cup final here we come!!!!!

Yes Jayne's goal was very important

Kelly Smith was doing all the hard work in the midfield today though

Basically all the players were playing on a completelly different level than in the LC Final

I'm proud of my Gunners

Oh don't get me wrong....Im not taking anything away from Kelly Smith.
Just didn't want to go on and on and on about her like i usually do with my mates.lol
Anyway i don't need to praise her up...we all know how much of a LEGEND she really is.

Thanks for your match report AS!!!!

Im absolutely gutted i couldn't go to the match today. I had my own fixture to play. What a dilemma...my beloved Gooners or my own team.Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgh

Just didnt think i could skive off for two weeks in a row. My manager is being kind enough to let me have next week off to attend the England V France showdown.

Yes, but even our great talented Legend has a crappy game from time to time
and I just wanted to point out that today she was awesome even though she didn't score

Our Kelly????....a crappy game from time to time?????Naaah....never

lol

Well let me put it this way: sometimes (maybe in one game in ten)
our Kelly does not play on her usual Kelly level
which is still better than most of the players in the lague on their best day.

Can I get away with it?