Cambridge City are ready for FA Cup test with Stevenage
Stewart Nicholls is hoping his young Cambridge City Women’s team can shine in the spotlight of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup first round proper when they host divisional rivals Stevenage at Haverhill Rovers’ New Croft stadium in a ‘massive’ occasion on Sunday (November 3, 1pm).
The City players enjoyed having the BBC cameras film them at training in the build up to the game – with the edited piece set to go out on BBC Look East tonight (Thursday) ahead of what will be only the second time in the club’s history that they have graced the first round proper.
Nicholls, who admitted taking full responsibility for rotating the side through fear of injuries in the 3-0 loss at home to Real Bedford Ladies Reserves in Eastern Region League Cup second round on Sunday, said: “It is massive. It is my first time in the first round and the players’ while it’s the second time in the club’s history.
“The BBC came and filmed us and the exposure has been brilliant.
“It is also a lot of money at this stage for a club of our size.”
City will go into the tie bottom of the Eastern Region Women’s Premier Division with one win and seven defeats from eight matches while Stevenage lie fourth having collected three wins and three draws so far.
Their opponents also hammered them 6-2 in the league in Hertfordshire in the third game of the season on September 1.
But Nicholls, whose side reached the first round by triumphing 4-1 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw away at Wormley Rovers Ladies, have the belief they can more than make up the numbers at what could be their last outing at The New Croft before a move into their new stadium in Sawston.
“To be fair the scoreline did not really properly reflect it,” said Nicholls of last month’s clash, “we had two 16 years olds making their debuts in women’s football.
“We did win the second half 2-1.”