Page 17 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.8 2021-22

Dronfield aim to make more history

Dronfield Town will play in the Third Round Qualifying of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup for the
first time this week, and on Sunday they will be looking to continue their record run against
Peterborough Utd.
Player/Assistant Manager Carly Gill told Women’s Soccer Scene that this will be a special
occasion for her as well as the team: “Last season we made club history by winning not only our
first, but also second and third games in this competition.
“This season we’ve embarked on another great FA Cup journey, again seeing off another two
good regional level teams and already making Club history again by going one step further and
reaching the Third Round Qualifying. We’re now only one win away from making Club history
again and reaching the First Proper Round of the competition for the first ever time.
“We know this is a tough fixture as Peterborough play three tiers above us in the Women’s
Football Pyramid but we’re looking forward to it and hosting another FA Cup tie at our home
stadium.
“The support we’ve had so far has been amazing (attendances of 188 and 130) and it’s been
great to see so many of our junior players in the stands supporting us.
“As someone that starting playing at the age of five years old, dreaming of playing and
scoring in the FA Cup, and at 38 I’m still enjoying playing and doing just that. I hope that as
individuals and as a team, we are inspiring our junior girls to keep dreaming and believing looking
that one day they too will be playing in games like these.”
Under-18 Girls manager, James Stubley added: “Our Ladies First Team players act as great
role models for our junior girls. Their journey in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup this season has been
tremendous. Now, one round away from the FA Cup First Round, shows not only their
commitment to ladies football but has shown their ability as a team and their unity. Along the way
we have managed to expose some of our Under-18 girls to the FA Cup to allow their development
and experience of Ladies Open Age football.
“We are under no illusions, our opponents this weekend from three tiers above will be a
challenge. However, with a home tie and a crowd behind them, anything is possible in football.
Whatever the result, to our club, the ladies will be winners.”
Dronfield player Eleanor Rose said: “This weekend’s FA Cup game holds a big challenge for
us playing a team from a considerably higher level but the support from the community and the
Club, and having the Junior teams on the sideline, will definitely give us the extra motivation.”
Club Secretary Chris Millington commented: “The Ladies are doing the Club proud yet
again and we are all behind them on this journey.”
Northern Ireland face tough qualifiers
Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-19s are in action in Women’s U19 Euros 2022 qualifiers this
week. Switzerland, England and the Republic of Ireland are set to provide the opposition in what
is a tough qualifying group.
The Group A5 mini tournament is being hosted by the Republic, with the games staged in
Limerick. Alfie Wylie’s side warmed up for the Euro qualifiers with draws in two away friendlies
(2-2 and 1-1) against Wales WU19s last month.
Game one will see Wylie’s side take on Switzerland at Jackman Park in Limerick on
Wednesday (20 October). The game is scheduled to kick off at 2pm. They will be playing England
the same day as the senior women take on England Women in a FIFA Women’s World Cup
qualifier at Wembley – on Saturday (23 October). Jackman Park is again the venue (2pm start).
Their third and final game is next Tuesday (26 October) at Market’s Field in Limerick against the
tournament hosts (1pm start).
Northern Ireland Under-19 squad:
Lilie Crooks (Mid Ulster Ladies), Rachael Norney (Cliftonville), Tierna Bell (Lisburn Rangers),
Ella Haughey (Lisburn Rangers), Erin McGreevy (Lisburn Rangers), Fi Morgan (Cliftonville),
Shona Davis (Cliftonville), Jane McMaster (Linfield), Abbie McHenry (Cliftonville), Grace
McKimm (Cliftonville), Erin Montgomery (Cliftonville), Helen Parker (Lisburn Rangers), Mia
Little (Lisburn Rangers), Cara Mervyn (Glentoran), Zoe Rodgers (Crusaders Strikers), Eve Reilly
(Lisburn Rangers), Ellie-Mae Dickson (Lisburn Rangers), Katie Dickson (Linfield), Cora
Chambers (Sion Swifts), Darcy Boyle (Crusaders Strikers).
Issue no. 8 - 21 October 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk