Posh Women U23s to face Queen’s Park Rangers Reserves in League Plate Semi-Finals.
Peterborough United Women U23s have a chance to secure their place in the final of the FA Women’s National League Reserves League Plate on Sunday afternoon (2pm) as they travel to the capital to face Queen’s Park Rangers Reserves at their training ground.
Michael Allsebrook’s side reached this stage of the competition after overcoming Hull City Reserves on penalty kicks follow a last gasp equaliser from Taya Smith; whilst QPR secured a 4-0 victory over Moneyfields Reserves.
The Posh Women U23s continue to enjoy a successful season as they lie second in the Reserves Midland Division, winning nine of 13 games so far. QPR compete in the South East & Central Division of the FAWNL Reserves League, and currently sit seventh in the table with three wins and three draws from 12 matches this season.
Team News
Maddison Moore has been ruled out for the fixture due to a strained quad. Bronte Cooper remains unavailable due to a long-term injury and has been joined on the side-lines by Amani Mushtaq who has sustained a fractured ankle. Taya Smith returns to the squad having missed the previous match against Sutton Coldfield Town whilst Frankie Pim continues to play for the First Team.
QPR Reserves joint top-scorers this campaign are Assia Fatri and Dahlia Salah who have netted five times.
From The Gaffer
Michael Allsebrook spoke ahead of the match, “Having last weekend's game was postponed was frustrating as we wanted to continue the momentum that the girls’ had built from the second half against Sutton Coldfield. It does allow the girls’ to go into games refreshed which is a positive, especially as the turn of the season when fixtures begin to pile up.”
“We’ve found out in every round of cup competitions we’ve played in this year that there are no easy games at this level. QPR have done brilliantly to make it to this stage as have we, and I’m sure it will be a brilliant occasion on Sunday with both sides giving everything to make it to a final. They have been involved in some tight games recently and will come into the game with confidence, so we need to show we have the initiative and do enough the gain the ascendancy in the early stages.”
“We know that on our day we are as good as most sides. It’s up to the girls to take everything they have learnt this season and apply it to a scenario with pressure and brilliant reward at the end. These are the games that show who has the mentality to perform at their best when the pressure is on and we are looking forward to testing ourselves in that environment. But we are also aware that our season isn’t defined by Sunday and we have many more exciting games coming up between now and the end of the season.”
By Lauren Shiels