Arsenal 7

Sunderland 1

FA Women's Premier League Cup

Second Round MatchIt was sunshine all the way at Boreham Wood FC as Arsenal put on a dazzling display to progress to the third round of the FA Women's Premier League Cup.

Although leading 2-0 at half-time with goals from Faye White (33 minutes) and Ellen Maggs (44 minutes), Sunderland had proved awkward opposition for the Gunners, pressurising the Arsenal defence.

In the first 15 minutes, Arsenal had to work hard to soak up the pressure, but eventually the experience of the Arsenal team proved too strong for Sunderland, and they dominated the second half.

Marieanne Spacey scored direct from a corner in the 53rd minute, making it 3-0, and Casey Stoney made it four in the 62nd minute when she fired a close range shot past the Sunderland keeper.

In the 65th minute manager Vic Akers made three changes, replacing Angela Banks, Casey Stoney and Kirsty Pealling with Emma Coss, Meg Ogawa and Jess Wright.

Whilst the players were repositioning in the 67th minute, a corner taken by Donna Lanaghan resulted in a mix up in the Arsenal defence, and the ball bounced off the chest of Faye White into the back of the net, for Sunderland's first goal.

Arsenal stepped up a gear and responded to Sunderland's goal within a minute, when Ellen Maggs's brilliant run down the left wing resulted in her firing home the fifth goal in the 69th minute the best goal of the day.

This was quickly followed by a further three goals scored by Marieanne Spacey (71 minutes), Meg Ogawa (76 minutes) and Ellen Maggs (81 minutes).

Ellen Maggs scored a well deserved hat-trick on the day, her first hat-trick for the Arsenal first team.

She had proven a handful all day for the Sunderland defence, with her non-stop effort, skill and enthusiasm.

Although beaten convincingly by Arsenal, Sunderland belied their present position in the National Division and showed fine resilience and endeavour throughout the match, and it should not be too long before they move up the table.

October 31, 2001 16:09