Posh Women set for Semi-Finals of Northants County Cup against the U23s.
Peterborough United Women face Posh Women U23s at Yaxley Football Club on Sunday (5pm) in the semi-finals of the Northamptonshire FA Women’s County Cup. Despite the U23s drawing the fixture at home, the County Cup tie has been relocated to Yaxley FC due to crowd safety and predicted weather conditions. The meeting was originally scheduled earlier in the month, but it was postponed due to pitch conditions.
Dan Lawlor’s side drew 2-2 with Sporting Khalsa in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands campaign on Sunday afternoon after an early strike from Keir Perkins and a debut goal for Ella Hilliard at the Guardian Warehousing Arena. They progressed into the semi-finals after an emphatic 15-0 win over Bugbrooke St Michael’s at Birds Close.
Michael Allsebrook’s side are now five games unbeaten in all competitions as they secured their place in the FA Women’s National League Reserve League Plate Final following a 1-0 win against Queens’ Park Rangers Women Reserves on Sunday afternoon, courtesy of a first half spot-kick from Tillie Sands. The U23s advanced to the semi-finals of the Northants County Cup after they secured a 2-1 win over Thrapston Town Ladies at the iDVerde Training Ground.
Team News
Speaking to Posh+ ahead of the game, First Team Coach Adam Timson confirmed that he has a full squad despite new signing Ella Hilliard, who will not be involved in Sunday’s fixture due to cup regulations. Frankie Pim will be in contention to play for the first team squad and Rebecca Mears will play for the U23s due to them both being cup tied.
U23s Manager Michael Allsebrook confirmed during the lead-up to the game that there are few doubts ahead of the weekend. Maddison Moore missed the QPR game due to a quad injury and will be given a late fitness test ahead of the weekend’s fixture. Striker Ella-Mai Bale is also doubtful having sustained an ankle injury during the week.
From The Coach
“It’s a good occasion for the club to get this far in the competition with both teams. It will be a good celebration really, I’m hoping we’ll get a good amount of people to come down to watch and support both teams. A lot of the young girls from the academy will be there and they will get to see the pathway and how it leads to good things.”
“I’m excited for it, it will be good to showcase everything the club’s been working on as a whole and whilst I hope the first team will advance to the final, ultimately one team will, which is great for everyone. Whilst it is a bit different because it is an in-house game, being club vs club, all I ask as a coach is that everything is done properly from both sides.”
From The Gaffer
Allsebrook said: “Last weekend, we secured our place in the Reserve League Plate final. I couldn’t be prouder of the squad, it’s a really big achievement because it was a difficult path to take with the challenging teams we faced. It gives us confidence moving forward. We go into Sunday in the best place in terms of football but we recognise it’s a really tough game.”
“We know the First Team are a strong tier 4 side, we train on the same nights as them. We are a different side in the way that we play which will make for a great game on Sunday. We know that we have to be at our best to get any result. They’re going to be powerful and experienced but we have the resilience, style of play and ethos to give it a real go. It’s a cup game at the end of the day so anything can happen. To have both teams in the semi-finals is a credit to everyone involved and shows how far the club has come in recent years.”
Ones To Watch
Forward Tara Kirk is currently Posh’s top league goal scorer so far this season after netting nine goals in 18 appearances.
Ella-Mai Bale returned for the U23s from a spell out with injury earlier this month. She has scored 12 goals in 14 appearances this season.
Last Time In The Cup
Last season, the Posh Women secured their place in the finals of the Northants FA County Cup for a third consecutive season after a dominant 3-0 victory over Northampton Town Women at the Harpole Playing Fields thanks to goals from Jess Evans, Keir Perkins and Jess Driscoll.
Ticket News
Tickets for this fixture are priced at £3 for adults, £2 for seniors and for under 18s and free for under 12s. Supporters can pay by cash or card on the game.
Live Updates
Updates of the game will be available on The Posh Women’s X account (@theposhwomen), with post-match reaction also on the website.
- Photo credit: Darren Wiles