Monday 4 May 2015 18:36, UK
Chelsea will meet Notts County Ladies in this year’s FA Women’s Cup final at Wembley after a narrow 1-0 win over Manchester City Women in Monday’s semi-final at Adams Park.
PFA Women’s Player of the Year Ji So-yun scored the all-important 84th minute winner to keep Chelsea Ladies on course for the first major trophy in their history.
England striker Eni Aluko thought she had given Chelsea a second minute when she cut in from the left before unleashing a shot which hit the post.
Nikita Parris then had a chance for City just two minutes later when Toni Duggan and Demi Stokes combined well to find the on-loan striker but her shot sailed over the bar.
Duggan had the chance to put City ahead in the 78th minute but couldn't get enough connection on Parris’ cross to trouble Blues keeper Hedvig Lindahl.
And with six minutes remaining, Chelsea substitute Drew Spence held the ball up well before laying it off to Ji who fired home from the edge of the area to settle the tie.
Chelsea skipper Katie Chapman, who has won eight FA Women’s Cups with four different clubs, admits leading her side out at Wembley on August 1 will be one of the highlights of her career.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s what you dream of,” said Chapman.
“It’s going to be special walking out as captain at Wembley. As a player, I’ve been in many cup finals but with it being at Wembley it’s really going to be a great occasion.
“Both teams obviously wanted to win in, and it showed, but it was good for us to get the goal. It was a great performance and a very end-to-end game. A goal could have gone in at any end and fortunately it was our end.”
