Emma Hayes said her dreams had come true after she saw her Chelsea Ladies side win their first major trophy in the first women’s FA Cup final to be held at Wembley, thanks to a 1-0 victory over Notts County Ladies.
Ji So-yun’s winner in the first half allowed Chelsea to banish the memory of their defeat on penalties to Birmingham City Ladies in the final three years ago and rid themselves of the tag of perennial runners-up. They also missed out on the Women’s Super League title to Liverpool Ladies on the final day last season and Hayes believes this triumph will spur her team on.
Chelsea coped with the pressure of the occasion. Although the Football Association failed to sell as many tickets as they had hoped, the attendance of 30,710 was a record crowd for a women’s FA Cup final and represented another step in the right direction for the sport following the success of this summer’s World Cup.
“I’m speechless,” Hayes said. “I’ve dreamt about this day my whole life. This is a dream come true. Sometimes dreams can be real big disappointments, but this one wasn’t and to do it with a team we’ve been building for three years now, to watch it evolve and get better, to watch them cross the line today, is a rewarding moment.
“When you haven’t won a trophy before and there’s a lot at stake, for them to manage the game – as a coach that was the most pleasing part. They had the discipline.
“I don’t have to be ferrying around in the golf cart any more as a manager without a trophy. I’ve always said one of our missions was to educate and integrate the girls into the whole club. The support is improving all the time. There is a greater level of acceptance.”
Hayes paid tribute to Ji. The South Korean joined Chelsea from the Japanese club INAC Kobe Leonessa at the start of last year and was named the PFA Women’s Player of the Year in April. Although she had a quiet game, Ji was in the right place to score the only goal after a brilliant run from the outstanding forward Eniola Aluko.
“That’s what makes her special,” Hayes said. “The big players show up on big occasions. Ji has such a wonderful head, she holds the ball up. She’s a magician in possession. It’s not easy to come to England from South Korea. She is a little street fighter.”
For County, who are still seeking their first trophy after their move to Nottingham from Lincoln 18 months ago, it was a disappointing experience. Their manager, Rick Passmoor, felt that Chelsea’s superior attack was the difference and that his side failed to capitalise on a promising start.
“I think when you got momentum, it’s important you take the opportunities,” he said. “It turned dramatically midway through the first half. When you’re on top you must score.
“For Notts County, 18 months down the line, the city of Nottingham has really embraced Notts County and women’s football, so hopefully next season we can repay them and get them back here. Today we will be gentlemen and ladies and accept defeat.”
Despite the pain of losing, Passmoor was pleased that County played a part in a significant occasion for women’s football. “It’s a great occasion and it really brings everyone together,” he said. “We’re trying to grow the game. We’re proud of what we’re trying to do and achieve. It’s an exciting time for football. Maybe not for me and Notts County today.”
