Page 14 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.13 2020-21

For the second week in a row, Gillingham came from behind to win in
the Vitality Women’s FA Cup and their reward for a 2-1 extra time win
at Cheltenham Town is a meeting with mighty Arsenal in the Fourth
Round.
We talked to Gills defender Millie Waud, who praised the
team for their resolve and character in both wins against Crawley
Wasps and Cheltenham, as well as relishing the propect of facing up
to a star-studded Arsenal side this Sunday:
WSS: Another really good win for you away to tough
opponents, you must be delighted with that result at
Cheltenham?
MW: The girls worked extremely hard during the Cheltenham
game! It was a tough game which we expected. There’s not a better
feeling then winning a tough game like that, let alone going through
to the next round in the FA Cup.
WSS: For the second week running, you had to come from
behind to win, which surely demonstrates the team's
character and resolve right now?
MW: Coming back from losing has never been a speciality of our
team throughout the years. I think last season, with lots of faces
joining, and then being hit with a lockdown, it shows just how far we have come as a team, we have
developed a tight bond and we have a really good team ethos in order to have the character to come
back in both games. I think it shows how much we wanted this.
WSS: Otesha Charles is picking up a happy habit for you of scoring late winners,
what were the last few minutes like after she put you 2-1 ahead?
MW: Against Crawley, scoring in the last few minutes was an unimaginable feeling, but then
having to hold on to that lead until the whistle, we had to remain calm and focused and I’m sure the
coaching stuff were on the edge of their seats. Likewise with Cheltenham, watching from the sideline
I think was even a worse feeling! I think we were all anxious. But huge credit to Otesha who had
worked tremendously hard to keep up her hard work all the way up until 90 minutes and she is a
great asset and threat in our squad.
WSS: How important though was the challenge by Amy Haynes to prevent a goal a
few minutes earlier?
MW: Crucial - I think all challenges and one-v-one should be crucial, if all players win their battles
we win the game. The heart and desire from every team member, including Amy has been the
reason for our success. I think Amy has stepped up massively as a young player into a new position
of right back and been on top form!
WSS: Now of course it is the small matter (!) of playing away to Arsenal in the next
round, is this a match you could possibly have even imagined playing just a few
weeks ago?
MW: Playing Arsenal Women, I think everyone would agree was a joke to us all at first. Although
we knew it was a possibility, I don’t even think it feels real to us now we are here. It was only a few
months ago we were watching clips of their performances to get ideas and improve our game and
know they are our opponents!
WSS: You could possibly be lining up against the likes of Miedema, Little, Mead,
Nobbs and van de Donk on the day, how exciting or daunting a prospect is that?
MW: I mean these players are world class, players we all look up to and young girls look up to. I
think it’s exciting to play against the best, and is a great experience we will all definitely remember
for the rest of our lives. Yes of course, it is extremely daunting and I’m sure we will all be nervous,
but we have nothing to lose and we have no pressure, so I think we will also be just excited and up
for the challenge.
WSS: Whatever happens on Sunday, you can look back on a good Cup run which will
bring you a lot of publicity and important prize money for club funds?
Issue no. 13 - 15 April 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk