Page 20 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.11 2021-22

Stourbridge ready for Derby test

Stourbridge are looking forward to arguably the biggest match in their history on Sunday, when they
take on Derby County of the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division in the First
Round of the Vitality Women's FA Cup.
The Ewes play two tiers above the Glassgirls, and are the highest ranked team Stourbridge
have played in their nine-year history.
Stourbridge are in the First Round Proper for the second year running, having lost 3-0 to
Wolverhampton Wanderers at the same stage last year, a match played behind closed doors and
without any of the fanfare and sense of occasion one might normally expect.
Last season’s run saw Stourbridge progress through five rounds before bowing out but
promotion in the summer through the FA’s ‘upward movement’ initiative, coupled with the
restructuring of the Cup, means that the team has only had to win two matches this season to reach
the same stage, beating Kidderminster Harriers 6-1 at home, and then Solihull Sporting 9-1 away.
Derby will be tougher nuts to crack, and are among the hardest draws the team could have
got, but Andy Fisher’s team will approach the match in a positive frame of mind having proved their
worth at tier five with six wins from their seven league matches so far as well as making progress in
the Cup.
"Sunday’s match is very much being seen as a “no lose situation,” says secretary Richard
Clark. "On paper, Derby would be expected to win nine times out of ten, if not ten times out of
ten. But we played Wolves - who are now top of Derby’s division - just under two years ago in a
County Cup tie and drew 1-1 before losing on penalties, and last season’s FA Cup tie was 1-0 at 70
minutes, and the third goal came in stoppage time. For context, in the brief time football was played
last season, Wolves averaged six goals per game in the League, two levels above where we were
playing. I think we have the right to consider ourselves “not a bad team”.
"We’re confident we can compete with Derby but I think there’s plenty of realism in the
squad as to the size of the task. They are two levels above us, and they play better teams than we
play week-in week-out. They have better players, more experienced players, so they should win. But
we will be prepared!"
Midfielder Esme Moran says the team is looking forward to the challenge: “I think if we were
at home, with the crowd on our side, and where we’re more familiar with the ground, it would have
been better. It would have been nice for the club to have a big crowd down. But I also think this is
where we want to be in a couple of years’ time, playing clubs like Derby, so it’s a good test for us. It’s
the FA Cup, anything can happen.
“I joined the Club two years ago and it’s always been a happy camp, and I think a fixture like
this bring you closer together as a group.
“There’s a massive togetherness here, we’re one big family. The club’s motto is ‘One Heart,
One Way’, and that’s kind of shown this week more than ever. It’s a big game and it’s going to be a
tough game but we’re trying not put too much pressure on ourselves and make sure we’re as
prepared as we can be.”
Wakefield relishing Fylde tie
Wakefield Trinity are already experiencing their best ever run in the Vitality Women's FA Cup and
on Sunday, they have the chance to take on FAWNL Northern Premier Division high fliers AFC
Fylde Women in the First Round.
Emily Heckler has been one of the most prolific goalscorers in recent years and, as
Wakefield's captain, the match will also hold a special significance for her.
“I joined AFC Fylde a few years ago from Huddersfield Town but it was only a brief spell,"
she told Women's Soccer Scene. "They are a great club and are probably somewhere close to the FA
Women’s Championship standard in ability, so we know how tough it will be.
"What we do have here in Wakefield is a team who play for each other and a camaraderie that
I’ve not seen at any other club. We’ll give it everything we’ve got.”
“This is our first appearance in the First Round Proper and it will be incredibly tough to face
one of the best teams in the UK, with AFC Fylde filled with internationals and experienced players,"
added Wakefield Chairman, Craig Shepherd.
"I’m really proud of the group of players we’ve recruited and we’ll do our level best on Sunday
to cause the opposition some problems. We don’t have any expectations, just a willingness to work
hard for each other. Let’s just enjoy the occasion for what it is.”
Issue no. 11 - 11 November 2021 womenssoccerscene@mail.com