Town begin FA Cup campaign at Stoke

​

Huddersfield Town Women face Stoke City in the second round of the 2019/20 SSE Women's FA Cup on Sunday.

​

Town enjoyed their most memorable Cup run last season, reaching the fifth round of the competition.

The journey included a quite sensational win at Championship side Charlton Athletic - winning 5-4 on penalties having come back from 3-0 down with just 20 minutes left of normal time - before their journey ended at the hands of Super League club West Ham United.

​

Manager Ashley Vickers believes his team can replicate, even better, last year's success.

​

"Last year was amazing and we want to go further into the competition this time around. We want to make more special memories, but Stoke won't make it easy."

​

First team goalkeeping coach Michael Emery holds fond memories from the competition.

"Another cup run would be brilliant. We all learned things from getting so far, both players and staff. I don't see why we can't go and make more history for the club."

​

And the Terriers should go into the game full of confidence, having won their last two games 7-2 and 6-0 against Sheffield FC and Middlesbrough respectively.

​

Add that to their stunning last-gasp 4-3 win in Staffordshire last season, and Huddersfield may well go into the tie as favourites, despite sitting two points behind Sunday's hosts in the Women's National League table.

Emery wants the side to bring full confidence into the match. "I was delighted with the clean sheet, as was Lauren [Joyce]. She made a great save early on and her distribution for our firth goal was superb.

"Herself and the back four looked solid for the whole game which is great to see. That security also comes from the hard work of the players in front of them."

Sunday's big win saw first team debuts for Hannah Smith and Emma Samways, with the latter scoring the final goal to mark her maiden first-year appearance in style.

​

The speedy winger was thrilled with her performance off the bench.

​

“It felt great to make my debut for the team and I am thankful for the opportunity. To cap it off with a goal was a good feeling. Six goals with six different scorers just showed what a team performance Sunday was.

 

"I am going to keep working hard now in training to keep my place in the first team.”

​

Emery was thrilled for both players. "They were both brilliant when they came on and for Emma to score was brilliant. I'm really pleased for them and I know they'll step up again."

​

With a few injuries to key players, Town's less experienced squad members may well be called upon on Sunday, and manager Vickers is confident that they will step up to the plate again.

​

"Anyone in the squad is a player because we have so much quality. I believe that every player will perform when called upon.

​

"We also have Charley Evans, Ellie White and Shauna Legge back this week which helps strengthen the squad."

Despite their inconsistent league form, Huddersfield love knockout competitions and face Liverpool Feds in the last 16 of the FA WNL Cup after the trip to the Potteries and, although he is focused on the next game, Vickers is pleased to see his side reaching the latter stages again.

 

"This trophy is one we have targeted to win this season. We got to the quarter finals last term and arguably should have won the game. Our only aim is to win it, but I'm not thinking about that now. Sunday comes first."

With a large crowd expected on Sunday afternoon, Town have another opportunity to lay down a marker that they mean business in 2019/20 by advancing to the third round and, having already beaten Stoke 2-1 earlier this season, their travelling support will expect them to do just that.