The FA Women's Premier League Cup
Semi-Finals
Sunday 11 December 2005

Everton vs Arsenal
Doncaster Rovers Belles vs Charlton Athletic


The Final will be played on Sunday 05 March 2006

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The top four clubs in England play eachother tomorrow, Sunday 11th December , in the Premier League Cup semi-finals. Everton Ladies host Arsenal whereas Charlton Athletic, runners-up to Arsenal in last season’s Premier League Cup but Everton’s conquerors in the FA Cup final, visit Doncaster having already beaten the Belles at home in the League.

I predict an easy win for table-topping Charlton Athletic and a hard fought victory for Everton with their home advantage paying in the end.

Doncaster Rovers Belles 0 - 2 Charlton Athletic

Charlton Athletic won 2-0 at Doncaster Rovers Belles to reach the League Cup Final but had Eniola Aluko stretchered off with an injury.

After building a series of first half attacks had failed to yield and opening goal, TheFA.com's columnist Aluko opened the scoring on 35 minutes.

The combative Katie Chapman dispossessed her England colleague Vicky Exley in midfield and slipped a pass through to Aluko who finished with aplomb past Catherine Beaver.

Four minutes before half-time, Charlton doubled their advantage, this time Chapman netting a powerful header from Jo Potter's cross.

A Julie Twaddle shot was the Belles' best chance of the first half, as Charlton went into the interval very much in control.

The second half saw the Belles take the game to Charlton with Pauline Cope called into action to make saved from Exley and Twaddle, whilst at the other end, Sarah Snare and Aluko spurned opportunities one-on-one, which Beaver did well to snuff out.


Everton 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal will again face Charlton Athletic in March for the FA Nationwide Women's Premier League Cup, as they avenged their FA Women's Cup semi final defeat at Everton by the same 2-0 scoreline.

Jayne Ludlow opened the scoring in the 40th minute after she ran onto a Kelly Smith pass, and despite the best efforts of Rachel Brown in the Everton goal, Arsenal's predatory striker Julie Fleeting wrapped up the victory late on.

Another bonus for The Gunners was the return to the side of England winger Rachel Yankey who had been on the sidelines recently through illness.

She told TheFA.com: "It was great to get out on the pitch and make a contribution as over the past couple of weeks i've really been struggling just to get through training.

"The girls were all really pleased to put in a professional performance, and Everton will probably be a bit disappointed that they didn't play as well as they can.

"Having said that, Lindsay Johnson played very well and kept Julie Fleeting quiet for virtually the entire game, but Julie's quality is such that if she gets one chance, she'll put it away."

The venue for the Final is still to be confirmed, but will take place on Sunday 5 March 2006.

Go Charlton!!!