WYCOMBE, Mar 6 (SW) - Aftr missing out in several cup finals to Arsenal down the years Charlton lifted the Premier League Cup after an exciting final watched by a record crowd for this tournament.

There was end to end action from the start with both sides having early chances. Arsenals
Lianne Sanderson was through on the keeper but her shot went wide of Pauline Cope's left hand post. Rachel Yankey then had a go but her shot went over the bar. On the half hour Casey Stoney sent a high ball forward from the halfway line, which dropped almost vertically down onto the head of England International Eniola Aluko. She cushioned the ball nodding it forward before sending a brilliantly timed lob over the head of the advancing Arsenal keeper and into the net.

Arsenal came right back at them however and won a free kick when Karen Hills brought down Sanderson but Fay White sent her shot against the wall and Charlton were able to clear. Cope was in action soon afterwards when Julie Fleeting got in on goal but her close range effort was pushed wide and Cope was able to deal with Sanderson’s follow up. It looked as if Arsenal were getting on top in the match but Charlton hung on and in first half injury time Sarah Snare dispossessed Alex Scott just inside the Arsenal half. Taking the ball forward Snare rolled a pass out to Aluko on the left and from the edge of the area she sent a low shot past Emma Byrne.

Charlton had a lively start to the second half setting up a string of chances. A cross-field pass from Jo Potter found Amanda Barr out on the right but her shot went just wide. Then Casey Stoney from about 20 yards sent a dipping shot that went just over. Arsenal were almost back in when another Fleeting shot was tipped away then Jayne Ludlow went through on the Charlton keeper but somehow couldn’t get her shot on target. With 15 minutes to go Fleeting finally pulled a goal back. A flick through from Anita Asante found the Scotland International in the clear and she slotted in a low shot. Arsenal pushed forward looking the equalizer and they almost had it. Yvonne Tracy managed to get herself clear but Cope came off her line to smother the ball. Aluko was taken off with a few minutes to go, and seemed to suffer the effects of a hamstring injury she had picked up in an earlier FA Cup round. Charlton held on to they’re lead however and went on to lift the first domestic trophy of the season.

Charlton Athletic – Arsenal 2-1 (2-0)

Referee: Forrester, Attendance: 3,506

Goals: 29. Eniola Aluko 1-0, 45. Eniola Aluko 2-0, 75. Julie Fleeting 2-1