 | |||||||
| Event | 1996–97 FA Women's Cup | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Date | 4 May 1997 | ||||||
| Venue | Upton Park, London | ||||||
| Player of the Match | Carol Harwood | ||||||
| Referee | Clive Wilkes (Gloucestershire) | ||||||
| Attendance | 3,015 | ||||||
The 1997 FA Women's Cup Final was the 27th final of the FA Women's Cup, England's primary cup competition for women's football teams. The showpiece event was the fourth to be played directly under the auspices of the Football Association (FA) and was known as the UK Living FA Women's Cup Final for sponsorship reasons. Millwall Lionesses and Wembley contested the match at West Ham United's Upton Park in London on 4 May 1997. Millwall Lionesses made their second final appearance, after winning the trophy in 1991 with a 1–0 win over Doncaster Belles at Prenton Park. Wembley appeared in the final for the first time, having won the previous season's FA Women's Premier League Cup competition.[1]
As FA Women's Premier League National Division clubs, both teams entered the competition at the fourth round stage. Millwall Lionesses beat Chelsea (3–0), Doncaster Belles (3–0), Aston Villa (4–1, after extra time) and Croydon (1–1, 3–1 on penalties) to reach the final. Wembley needed extra time in all three games to defeat Tranmere Rovers (2–1), Preston Rangers (1–0) and Berkhamsted Town (3–1) to reach a semi final with Arsenal. Their subsequent 1–0 victory over Arsenal at Borehamwood was considered a major upset.[2]
- ^ Erik Garin. "England - List of Women Cup Winners". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
- ^ Aldis, Colin (5 April 2011). "Miracles and Upsets Do Happen..." She Kicks. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.