Women’s FA Cup final: Chelsea ladies take on Notts County

Before the men’s Community Shield kicks-off, Wembley will play host to another important match, for the first time hosting the women’s FA Cup final, as Chelsea clash with Notts County.

This means the Blues have representatives in both upcoming showpieces, and are 19/20 odds-on chances with Coral for a victory over 90 minutes here in front of an expected record crowd, as women’s football rides on the crest of a wave following a successful recent World Cup in Canada.

Chelsea took the spoils from the last tussle between these two teams, but neither side has lifted this coveted cup before so, with both clubs having conceded just one goal apiece on the road to Wembley, a draw at 13/5 in normal time looks pretty tasty.

The west Londoners (5/1 chances to win by a 1-0 scoreline) boast formidable England forward Fran Kirby who, at just 22, could be one of the Blues’ best prospects for years to come, while fellow forward threat Eniola Aluko is another attacker that Notts County will have to watch out for.

Chelsea ladies should be going for the jugular, as their opponents may have to put an outfield player between the posts, if custodian Carly Telford is not fit to head into the fray.

Notts County, though, do have a captain who has clinched this crown before. Defender Laura Bassett, scorer of an unlucky and now infamous own goal in Canada as England crashed out in extra-time to semi-final opponents Japan, previously tasted FA Cup glory with Birmingham City.

See Basett’s unfortunate effort here:

Bassett, of course, wants to put that World Cup episode behind her. “It was so special…there was the good, the bad and the downright ugly that happened over there and those things, especially the ugly bit, will stay with me,” said the experienced skipper.

“I would have preferred the moment to have been lifting the World Cup…that would have been the ultimate. For me there is only one real iconic moment that there could be.”

The England star is now looking firmly forward, however, as the Lady Magpies hope to etch their name into the club’s folklore and are 12/5 outsiders to do so over 90 minutes.

“It is a chance for us to create history and to get Notts County as a brand and as a name on the map,” added Basett, who will be marshalling the rearguard, while the likes of Fiona O’Sullivan and Ellen White compete for attacking places.