Page 29 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.1 2022-23

“We are very excited about the game away at Darlington,” says manager Mal Bethell.
“It is a game we are capable of winning but also a game we know will be tough to win. We're
sure that Darlington will feel exactly the same.”
“It's an exciting time to be playing in the cup following the events from the summer,”
added Ripon captain Georgie Taylor. “There is a real drive behind women's football at the
moment and it feels good to be a part of it. A few wins in the FA Cup gives us the potential to
play against a bigger team and potentially go far. Stranger things have happened!” ...
“Playing in the FA Cup is something I’ve always dreamed of since I was a little girl,”
admits midfielder Lea Henderson. “Being 22 years old and playing in the FA Cup had made
my childhood dream come true.”

This weekend brings a big day in the history of Sticker AFC as the ladies team play their first
ever FA Cup fixture when they host Budleigh Salterton at Burngullow Park this Sunday at
2pm.
The ladies team was formed at the beginning of last season when experienced ladies
manager Andy Hoskin approached Sticker AFC to form a new ladies side with the assistance
of Angelee Robinson and Lauren Bennett. They were granted the full backing of the Sticker
AFC Committee and history was made as the club registered their first ever ladies side. The
three were no strangers, having previously formed part of the successful Charlestown Ladies
set up which had been managed by Hoskin.
The new squad at Sticker contains some familiar faces from seasons past, bringing
together a great combination of players that have played together, as well as against each
other, for over ten years at various levels of South West women’s Football. The side has also
attracted the attention of younger players wishing to join the team’s journey. The new side
had a successful start in their first season, winning both the Cornwall Ladies League Division
One title and the Cornwall Ladies League Cup. Their progression this season sees the ladies
stepping up to the South West Regional Women’s League Western Division. The league
opener saw Sticker Ladies getting off the mark well in a 4-0 victory over Marine Academy
Plymouth, with Chloe Harris and Ellisha Davey each netting a brace.
Eyes, though, are now firmly focused on this Sunday’s FA Cup First Round Qualifying
tie. “It’s certainly a game the whole squad is looking forward to. Playing in the FA Cup is
always going to be special,” said Sticker captain, Lauren Bennett, whose uncle was once
captain on the Sticker Men’s side.
“Kicking off our league campaign last weekend, there’s no doubt that every player in
our squad is always going to give 100% to try and get our team a result. The togetherness in
this group of ladies is more than I’ve ever experienced in any other side I’ve played for.
“We all just want to enjoy playing football and when you are enjoying yourself, you are
going to work harder for your team mates. Budleigh Salterton are a team we don’t know too
much about, like us they are newly promoted to the league so I’m sure it’s going to be an
interesting game. Win or lose, it’s certainly going to be a special occasion for the club.”

For the 2022-23 season, the Cornwall FA will be offering Girls Under-18 football through
a new league operating in the East and West of the county.
To supplement the current football offering for girls in the county, the new Girls
Under-18 League has been introduced to help bridge the gap between youth and open age
female football as well as provide an additional opportunity for those girls who have made
the step into open age football.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk