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The Women’s FA Cup fourth round sees the entrance of Women’s Super League teams. Within the nine matches featuring top-tier clubs, one stands out as unique. On Sunday, Manchester City will travel to Durham, a team in the higher ranks of the sport without any connection to a men’s team.
Durham, founded in 2014, has gained a loyal fan base and is known for causing upsets in cup matches, such as victories against Manchester United and Everton. However, with the rise in popularity of women’s football, they have struggled to keep up with certain Championship teams who have connections to men’s teams. Despite this, they have never been in danger of being demoted and consistently perform well against WSL teams in the FA Cup and Continental Cup.
Several teams in the Championship league are currently receiving significant funding for their players and facilities, with investors hoping to take advantage of the sport’s increasing popularity by helping teams move up to the Women’s Super League. In contrast, Durham relies on a combination of experienced players, promising young talent, strategic partnerships, and support from their fanbase, known as the “Blue Army”. Tickets for their upcoming match against City at Maiden Castle have already sold out, setting a new record for the club.
“The captain, Sarah Wilson, who joined in 2014, expresses the significance of the team’s 10-year presence in the league to long-time supporters. She believes that witnessing the world’s top players will be an amazing experience for young girls in the area and will give them a true understanding of the club’s essence.”
Durham currently holds sixth place in the standings after an uneven first half of the season. They are only six points behind the top spot, and are ahead of the two other teams in the top two divisions that are not affiliated with a professional men’s club: Lewes, who have a men’s team in the seventh tier, and London City Lionesses. The team has experienced both highs and lows, with a notable 9-1 loss to Crystal Palace in September and a thrilling penalty shootout victory against local rivals Sunderland in the Continental Cup in November.
Durham appears to be gaining momentum. Claire Ditchburn, the head coach, has come back from her maternity leave, and club legend Beth Hepple has recovered from an ankle injury. Additionally, forwards Eleanor Ryan-Doyle and Amy Andrews are starting to show improvement in their ability to score goals.
The team combines seasoned players in the defense with fresh talents in the front line. Wilson has been a consistent presence in the defense, playing alongside Becky Salicki and Northern Ireland’s Sarah Robson. This defensive unit has successfully thwarted top-notch attackers, but containing players like Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, and Khadija Shaw is a whole different challenge. Salicki is confident they can handle it.
“When facing top teams, I’ve observed that their level of finishing is remarkable,” she explains. “If you have a moment of lapse, they take advantage. I spoke with Rachel Daly and a few others after our 5-1 loss to Aston Villa in the Continental Cup, and they mentioned that we were one of the strongest defensive teams they’ve faced this season, even among those in the top division. That’s something we should be proud of.”
Ryan-Doyle and Andrews are the form players but the most exciting prospect in attack is the 18-year-old Poppy Pritchard. Her fearlessness and ability to cut in from the left and take on defenders could provide a headache for City.
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Pritchard has proven herself to be a promising candidate for the Lioness team, consistently scoring for England’s junior teams. It is only a matter of time before she joins the Women’s Super League. Opportunities to showcase her talent on a larger platform have been limited, but Sunday presents a chance for the winger to make a name for herself.
Durham will face a tough challenge. Their defense was recently overpowered by Daly, and going up against Shaw and his team is no simple feat. However, if the match goes to penalties, Durham has a strong track record of success.
Sunday will be a significant day for Durham, regardless of the outcome. The club will benefit from a sold-out crowd and the BBC’s live broadcast, providing momentum for their efforts to reach the WSL. They are certainly making a statement among their peers.
Source: theguardian.com
