Page 29 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.11 2021-22

Finneys’ pride at reaching First Round

This Sunday will be a red letter day for Sir Tom Finney whose best ever run in the Vitality Women's FA
Cup will see them up against Huddersfield Town in the First Round.
Finneys manager Darryl McNicholl told Women's Soccer Scene that whatever happens on
Sunday, he will be proud of what the team has achieved in their cup run so far: "With it being our Ladies'
first appearance in the First Round proper, I think everyone, players, coaches and committee members
are feeling a sense of pride to be able to wear the Sir Tom Finney badge this weekend (especially with
who he was himself and everything he stood for!).
"I’m thrilled to have been giving the opportunity to be able to manage such a fantastic group of
players who actually have only been together for two seasons with a number of new addition this season
and still finding our feet at our level. Playing Huddersfield Town, who are three divisions and two tiers
above us, is a huge and exciting experience for the players, one of which they are particularly excited
about."
Caitlin Walker, who will captain the team on the day, said: “Sunday is a great opportunity for
us, as individuals and as a squad, to go against an opposition in a higher league in such fantastic
competition that the Womens FA Cup.
"The players and coaches have been working really hard to prepare us in the best possible way
and hopefully we can go out and do the club proud! We are just going to go out, give it our all and see
where that takes us. Come on Finneys!”
Striker Rhiannon Davies added: “I am feeling both nervous and excited for our FA Cup fixture
against Huddersfield. I am sure that the girls will battle their hardest and give it 110% after all football is
eleven v eleven and anything can happen on the day, unexpected things can happen in this competition.”
“I’m really excited to play in my first FA Cup game," said defender Chelsea Nevison. "We will
be going into this game as the underdogs but I’m very much looking forward to the challenge. We have
battled hard and worked together to get to this point as a team and I can’t wait to get stuck in. It’s going
to be a great day for Finneys!”
Vipers ready for tough Stevenage test

Herts Vipers Women have made good progress in the pyramid in recent seasons, taking them as far as
the Eastern Region League, and on Sunday they get to test themselves against National League
opposition when they play Stevenage Women in the Vitality Women's FA Cup First Round.
Manager Leo Green told Women's Soccer Scene that everyone is looking forward to the
occasion: “We’re proud of the team making it through the qualifying rounds to reach the 1st Round
Proper. FA Cup games are always a challenge and we had to overturn a two-goal deficit at half time in
the last round, but the team showed great character to do that. There’s great team spirit and ability in
this squad and we know Stevenage will pose a tougher test and, at this stage of the Women's FA Cup, you
have to expect a tough draw.
"We only won promotion to the regional league this season, so we are clearly going to be the
underdogs against a National League side, but we’ve been tested against teams from higher leagues
before. We played Stevenage two years ago in the County Cup, when we were in Division Three of the
Beds & Herts League, and took them to extra time. Some of the players in the squad played in that game,
so they're relishing the chance to try and go one better this time, plus the rest of the squad are looking to
show what they can do.”
Midfielder Sarah Payne added: “This is the furthest either club has got in the Women’s FA Cup,
so this is undeniably the most exciting FA Cup game either team has played in to date! For Vipers it’s a
fitting reward for how we’ve developed as individuals and as a team in the past two years and it’s an
amazing opportunity to test ourselves against a team from two divisions above.
"When you eat, sleep and dream about football, a game like this is what makes all the hard work
worth it. We can’t wait to play in front of a good crowd of friends and family! It’s going to be a great day
and experience for all of us and we hope we can do them proud.”
Vipers captain Eva Ramsey said: "It’s the biggest game in the club's history, is there much else
to say? I’m relishing the opportunity to show what this team can do against a National League team. The
fact that it’s Stevenage and a local derby game just brings that bit extra to it but, ultimately, we’re the
underdogs and can play with no pressure.
"This is the magic of the FA Cup, anything can happen. All I hope for is that as a team, we play
how I know we can play, give it everything, and walk off that pitch proud of our performance no matter
the result."
Issue no. 11 - 11 November 2021 womenssoccerscene@mail.com