LONDON — Growing up in the area, Keira Walsh never envisaged Manchester City being a force in women's football. Let alone playing for them and being part of trophy-winning teams.
Walsh broke the deadlock in the 49th Women's FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday and set City on the way to a 3-0 victory over West Ham, completing a domestic double.
Adriana Leon of King City, Ont., started for West Ham while fellow Canadian international forward Janine Beckie was on the Man City bench.
It is the sixth trophy in six seasons since the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth that transformed the City men's team into an English force was pumped into the women's squad.
"As a fan that's when I saw the change," Walsh said, referring to Sheikh Mansour's 2008 takeover. "As a youngster I never imagined I would be playing for Man City Women and I never thought I would be playing at Wembley in the FA Cup final — and scoring."
It had been a frustrating first half for City, with goalkeeper Karen Bardsley preventing West Ham from taking a shock lead by blocking a header from former teammate Jane Ross.
But seven minutes after the break, Walsh's shot appeared to take a slight deflection and swerved before going through goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse's hands.
Moorhouse's saves prevented City extending its lead before she was beaten again in the 81st when Georgina Stanway jinxed through the
"We didn't play that well in the first half but to score three goals we are delighted," City captain Steph Houghton said. "We have a group of winners and people who want to learn and improve. A great blend of youth and experience."
City was unbeaten domestically this season and also collected the League Cup in February, but it was beaten to the Women's Super League title by Arsenal last weekend.
"The push next year is to really challenge for the Champions League," Walsh said. "The club ethos is to just keep winning trophies."
While the League Cup success — on penalties against Arsenal with Beckie converting the decisive spot kick — came in front of 2,424 fans in Sheffield, the FA Cup was lifted with 43,264 fans at English football's national stadium in London.
"The crowd today shows where women's football is going," Walsh said.
The prospect of a bigger crowd was hampered by there being no direct Manchester-London trains this weekend due to engineering work, and by the Premier League not bringing forward Saturday's kickoff for the West Ham men's team at their east London stadium.
At the end of its first season as a professional side in the Women's Super League, West Ham was pleased to hold off the might of City — at least in the first half.
"I don't think there was a major difference between us," West Ham captain Gilly Flaherty said. "You can have all the money in the world but it won't necessary make you a great team. We surprised a few people.
"I spoke to a City girl at the end of the game and she said they were panicking at halftime. ... Maybe they underestimated us."
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Rob Harris, The Associated Press
