Arsenal Ladies 4 Leeds United Ladies 1

A brave Leeds United Ladies team were comprehensively beaten 4-1 yesterday by the all-conquering Arsenal Ladies team in front of a record crowd of 24,582 at Nottingham Forest's City Ground on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Yorkshire team were on the back foot from the start as Arsenal defender Alex Scott missed a great chance in the opening exchanges. The Gunners right back had a shot cleared off the line from United's Steph Houghton, after good work from Lianne Sanderson and England's Kelly Smith.

It was then Smith who smashed in a shot straight at Carly Telford. You had a sense of it going to be one of those long afternoons for Leeds. Minutes later Sanderson's deep cross could only be cleared to Scott who hit it first time from 20-yards and was extremely unlucky. The ball bounced down off the crossbar onto the line, but fortunately for United the referee made the right decision to not award a goal.

Soon after Telford brilliantly tipped over a 20-yard dipping volley from Jayne Ludlow. That proved to be the save of the match and it kept the score line at 0-0. If Leeds were to win this final then Telford would have to keep playing at this form. She was easily the busiest of players in the opening twenty minutes.

Despite Arsenal's obvious quality in attacking, Leeds were gritty in the tackle. They threw bodies in the line of shots and headers and tried to get tight to playmakers Smith , Rachel Yankey and Sanderson. Unfortunately that was quite a task for United to complete. Arsenal aren't European Champions for nothing.

Then England captain Faye White missed a glorious chance and headed over, Smith and Sanderson created chances for each other but could only watch as their efforts were saved and cleared away. This was an onslaught, but United soaked all the pressure up.

A rare attack saw Leeds actually put the ball in the net. A hopeful clearance forward fell to striker Amanda Barr who produced a sublime finish. She lifted the ball over the on rushing goalkeeper Emma Byrne and into the net. Barr threw her hands in the air to celebrate. Her celebrations were short lived as she looked across and saw the linesmen's flag raised. It was a tough call.

The half time whistle blew and Leeds had survived. The Gunners manager Vic Akers' face showed frustration. The Premiership Champions deserved to be leading - by at least two or three goals - but they weren't and in the end it was Leeds who should be ahead. Was it going to be Leeds' day?

Half Time 0-0

Well the short answer to the question was "No." Nine minutes into the second half and the Champions had taken the lead. Yankey's brilliant run and pass found Smith who expertly poked home the finish past Telford.

A tiring United's heads dropped minutes later when Arsenal got their second. Sanderson's lofted free kick was flicked in through the legs of Telford by the unmarked Jayne Ludlow.

Sixty seconds later Arsenal grabbed their third. Sanderson notched her 51^st goal of the season. She got the luck which she deserved after a tireless display in the first half. Her 20-yard effort nicked a deflection which wrong-footed Telford and the game was effectively over.

All of Leeds' hard work in the first half was being undone in a crazy six-minute period. Telford should feel aggreviaved after such a superb display. She showed the crowd and TV audience that women goalkeepers can be great players and not the butt of all jokes.

But the game wasn't quite over just yet though. The Yorkshire outfit were determined to grab a goal and try and get back in the game. Two years ago Leeds were thrashed 5-0 in the FA Cup final at Millwall's New Den. This time they should guts and energy to try and make things happen.

They drew inspiration from the hundreds of Leeds fans sat in the Trent End. A long ball forward brought England International Sue Smith into play. She ran with the ball, jinking with arrogance and with a drop of the shoulder to deceive White. She stopped - looked up and planted an audacious chip over the goalkeeper. The ball struck the angle of bar and post. The crowd groaned. But not for long as Leeds followed up the re-bound. Jess Clarke headed powerfully to get Leeds back in the game. 3-1. Leeds deserved their goal (especially considering a few borderline offside's and penalty decisions).

The Gunners pushed on again having a header cleared off the line. They brought on a triple substitution to liven the troops. Alex Scott missed another glorious chance - blazing over from 15-yards after some excellent play by Smith. Leeds were denied their second penalty of the day. Captain Jessica Wright's volley struck a hand but the referee Ihringova waived away the appeals.

Arsenal's win and the league and cup double was wrapped up with seven minutes remaining. Substitute Julie Fleeting created space and shot from outside the box only to see it hit the bottom of the post. Fortunately for the London team it fell to Smith. The England International doesn't miss many opportunities and she certainly doesn't miss them from four yards.

Leeds certainly weren't embarrassed like they were two years ago. Considering Arsenal are helped and assisted by their male counterparts then the Yorkshire did well to compete with the Champions. Leeds have had a great season - by reaching the FA Cup Final and finishing third in the league - it is their best season since starting in 1989.

Full Time 4-1

Arsenal: Byrne, Scott, White, Asante, Phillip, Ludlow, Grant (Tracey 74), Carney, Smith, Yankey (Davison 74), Sanderson (Fleeting 74).
Subs Not Used: Spencer, Flaherty.

Goals: Smith 54, Ludlow 59, Sanderson 60, Smith 83.

Leeds: Telford, Houghten, Bradley, Wright (Bonner 86), Culvin (Thackray 80), Walton, Moore (Sutcliffe 60), Holtham, Clarke, Barr, Smith.

Subs Not Used: Higgins, Hutton.

Booked: Culvin.

Goals: Clarke 69.