The 2019/20 winners of the Women’s FA Cup are still yet to be decided having been halted by the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. Quarter finals are due to reconvene on the weekend of the 26th September.
But time waits for no woman, and the 2020/21 is set to kick off this Sunday, including a Berkshire v Berkshire fixture in the form of Woodley United Ladies vs Wargrave Ladies in the Extra Preliminary Round on neutral ground.
Football in Berkshire women’s football correspondent Abi Ticehurst had a quick Q & A with the Woodley manager, Marc Surtees, to get his thoughts ahead of the fixture. Under his management, Woodley United will be entering the cup for the third time, with the third qualifying round being their furthest appearance to date.
Given the extraordinary time we’re currently in, do you feel prepared for the upcoming season and more specifically this cup game?
Marc: It has been a strange time but we have had good numbers at training and a couple of friendlies which have helped us get ready for this game and the coming season.
Are you happy with the squad and how are the team feeling?
M: We are happy, we have had a couple of good additions to the squad and they will complement the players that we already had. The players are in good spirits and looking forward to getting going again.
Thoughts on extra time being scrapped and going straight to penalties should the score be a draw?
M: Penalties are never anybody’s favourite way of deciding a game. I think we would have preferred extra time and then penalties but we will be ready if it does go that far.
Who would you most like to be drawn against should you progress through this round?
M: The draw for the next round has already been made so we know who we will play if we progress. It is another home time which we are happy about. Any team we get drawn against will be tough opposition.
Anything else you’d like to add ahead of tomorrow’s game?
M: It is always a good game against local rivals but hopefully we are ready and will be in the right frame of mind from the start. The ladies are looking forward to it so hopefully, it will be a good game and we get the result we want.
Woodley technically with the home advantage, however the fixture is taking place on neutral ground at Bishopswood Sports Ground, RG4 9BT. KO 2pm.
Good luck to both teams, whoever wins this round will take on Milton United in the Preliminary Round. The 20th September is set to be a bumper weekend of FA Cup games in Berkshire with the following games scheduled:
Women’s FA Cup Preliminary Round draw:
- Ascot United LFC v Banbury United Women’s FC or Swindon Supermarine Women FC
- Wycombe Wanderers Ladies FC or Oxford City Women FC v Eversley & California LFC
- Tilehurst Panthers LFC v Slough Town LFC
- Abingdon Town LFC or Abingdon United LFC v Newbury Ladies FC
- Woodley United LFC or Wargrave Women FC v Milton United LFC
