Spurs Ladies set for ultimate test in FA Cup

Opportunity knocks for Spurs Ladies to test themselves against the best in the SSE Women’s FA Cup on Sunday.

Manchester City are the visitors to Cheshunt FC (2pm) in a fifth round tie that pits the current leaders of the FA Women’s Super League (FAWSL) against the current leaders of the FA Women’s Championship (FAWC).

City remain unbeaten domestically and are chasing a treble. Packed full of internationals, they top the FAWSL with 10 wins and five draws from 15 games and they’ve reached the final of the Continental Tyres Cup. They won the FA Cup in 2017.

Spurs are also riding the crest of a wave and are at their highest standing ever in women’s football, top of the FAWC with 12 wins in 14 matches so far in only their second season at this level.

It’s also the third time in recent seasons they’ve reached the fifth round of the FA Cup, performing admirably against FAWSL teams Notts County and Arsenal in 2015 and 2017 respectively when they were two levels below in the Premier League.

Promoted into the FAWSL for the 2017/18 season and now top of the revamped FAWC, Spurs are a different proposition to the team that fought so hard to reach the fifth round in 2015 and 2017.

Like those ties, this is a test manager Karen Hills, coach Juan Amoros and the players are relishing.

Karen, in charge since 2008, said: “We’ve played Arsenal and we’ve played Chelsea but we’ve never played City and this is an opportunity to see where we are against one of the best teams in the country.

“We are doing so well this season, I can’t praise the players highly enough and ultimately, as players, you want to test yourselves against the best.

“City are top of the Super League, unbeaten, chasing the treble. In many ways, it’s the ultimate test for us, a huge game - and we see that as an opportunity. We’ve nothing to lose, everything to gain and we will give our all.

“Every time we’ve played the top teams, even in defeat, we’ve learned so much and used the experience to take us forward. It was tough against Arsenal in 2017 but we went on to be promoted that season.

“This is another stop on our journey. It’s another chance to pit ourselves against top, top players and whatever the result, I’m sure the experience will stand us in good stead again.”

Juan added: “City have a lot of international players who will be competing at the World Cup in the summer and we want to challenge ourselves against them.

“We want to give the fans who come to Cheshunt on Sunday the best game possible. Everyone should come to see and be proud of another group of players who defend the badge with pride every time they go onto a pitch.”

Skipper Jenna Schillaci said: "This is the kind of draw we hoped for and it will be an opportunity to see how far we've come, playing against some of the best players in the country. It's going to be a great occasion and we hope everyone will enjoy the day.”