2009 FA Women's Premier League Cup final

The 2009 FA Women's Premier League Cup final was the 18th final of the FA Women's Premier League Cup, England's main women's league cup competition before it was replaced by the FA WSL Cup in 2011. Arsenal Ladies defeated Doncaster Rovers Belles 5–0 at Glanford Park, Scunthorpe.^[1][2]

Belles manager John Buckley, already without his injured Canadian top-goalscorer Liz Hansen, regretted the scheduling of the match which ruled key midfielder Precious Hamilton out with suspension. It also meant that Arsenal's Alex Scott and Kelly Smith were still available, having not yet joined Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer.^[3]

Vic Akers – in his final season as Arsenal manager – could call on Scott and Smith for a final time, but Karen Carney had already taken up her transfer to Chicago Red Stars. He was also without Faye White and Yvonne Tracy (long-term knee injuries), Julie Fleeting (pregnant), and recent signing Helen Lander, who was cup-tied having played for Watford in an earlier round. New signing from Hibernian Suzanne Grant was named as a substitute. Emma Byrne remained in goal having rejected her own transfer offer from Boston Breakers.

Akers named a 4–2–1–3 formation with Gemma Davison coming in for Carney on the right wing to start her first Cup final for Arsenal. Rachel Yankey was on the other flank, with youngster Kim Little playing behind Smith in attack. Strong midfielders Jayne Ludlow and Katie Chapman played in front of a back four in which the experience of Laura Bassett was preferred to the youthful talents of Gilly Flaherty. John Buckley aimed for containment, naming a 4–1–4–1 setup with Amy Turner sweeping in front of the back four and Rachel Williams leading the line as a makeshift centre-forward.