Moors Ladies continue their exciting Women’s FA Cup campaign on Sunday when the make the trip to face Burnley at Lancashire County FA (2pm kick-off).
For the second season in succession, Moors’ fantastic Ladies Team have made it through to the First Round Proper of the famous competition.
Last term they made some lasting memories when they won away at Blackpool at this stage when Courtney Mole scored a sensational last-minute winner.
However, boss Brent Smithson knows his players will have to be at their best this weekend if they want to clinch another Second Round date this time around.
The Clarets currently lie fourth in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division having won six of their eight league fixtures so far during 2024/25.
They also came close to securing promotion last season when they finished as runners-up to Newcastle United, so Smithson is fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead.
“There’s no doubt this will be a very tough test for the players,” he admitted.
“Burnley had a great season in 2023/24 and they’ve started this one strongly too and have only been beaten once so we know that we are underdogs.
“However, we’ve talked a lot this week about resilience and togetherness because there will be times in the game when Burnley dominate possession, so we’ll need to work hard and stay focused.
“We will show them the respect they deserve, but we also have to go there looking to be brave and to try and play the attacking football we like to.
“We certainly won’t be going there to simply park the bus. Goals change games so we need to work hard, stay organised and then, when chances come along, we must be clinical.
“At the end of the day, this is the FA Cup. We enjoyed some magic during our run last season and there’s no reason we can’t do so again this weekend so we’re all looking forward to going there and giving a good account of ourselves as a team and a Club.”
Smithson will have to cope without influential duo Alex Saunders and Jess Dawson who are both unavailable on Sunday, while defender Lucy McIntosh is away with England Women’s Amputee Team at the World Cup in Columbia.
Caitlin Bates has now re-signed for Moors but is cup-tied for the weekend, Amy Elliott is back in training after injury and will be assessed and Coral Colledge is still building match fitness so won’t be in contention.
Moors are set to be backed by decent support on Sunday with a supporters’ coach booked to take fans along to cheer Smithson’s team on.
Good luck, lasses!
