UNITED WOMEN’S FC SET TO FACE ASTON VILLA IN WOMEN'S FA CUP THIS SUNDAY
Cambridge United Women’s Football Club are preparing for their much anticipated FA Cup Third Round clash against Women’s Super League side Aston Villa at Tamworth this Sunday (KO 2:00pm).
After entering the competition four months ago at the Third Qualifying Round Stage, the U’s find themselves in the Third Round Proper with a plum tie away against the Villains.
Villa are about to enter their fourth season in the Women's Super League, two tiers above the FA Women's Premier League Division One South East that the U's currently compete in and finished 6th in the 2016 campaign, having finished 5th in 2015 and 4th in 2014.
United are currently top of the FAWPL Division One SE at the halfway stage, and have already progressed to the Quarter Finals of the Cambridgeshire County Cup before this weekend’s tussle with the Birmingham side.
Manager Steve Edwards is thrilled by the prospect of the fixture but is mindful of the task, he said: "Once we'd beaten Southampton, we all spoke of what teams we might like to face in this round and Aston Villa were certainly one of those teams mentioned. I'd have preferred a home game, but then we've had four in a row in the competition now, so we can't be too greedy!
"The cup run has been great for us, not just from the financial aspect, but also from the confidence and positive atmosphere that it has brought to the group and the players have earned themselves this opportunity, so it's important that they enjoy and embrace it.
"Aston Villa have the resources to be able to compete at a semi-professional level and train more regularly than we are currently able to and that is the gap we have to try and bridge over 90 minutes. We certainly have the ability and talent in the group to cause an upset on the day, but we also know it will take a performance of the highest level from us to get something from the game.
He continued: "We are daring to dream, but we are also staying grounded with our focus and work rate ahead of the fixture and while we are still involved in the title race we are ensuring that we don't lose sight of that also.
"But win or lose, I know that the day will be a superb occasion for the club and no less reward than the players deserve for their efforts this season. And you just never know, if we can defend resolutely as a team and bury one or two of the chances that we will undoubtedly get, we may be talking about one of our best ever victories!"
Everybody at Cambridge United would like to wish Steve and his side the very best of luck for the game and the Club encourages supporters to make the journey to The Lamb Ground and back the U’s!