Brentford Women will hope they can continue their Capital Cup journey as they face Richmond Park Women in the quarter-finals of the intermediate version of the competition on Sunday at The Beveree Stadium in a 2pm kick-off.
After two consecutive defeats, first-team head coach Karleigh Osborne is looking to see a reaction from his team and believes Sunday is a great opportunity for his side to reignite their season.
Speaking on Sunday’s match, Osborne said: “It’s all about getting back to winning ways, we haven’t been performing badly recently but we just need to be slightly more clinical in the attacking areas.
“It would be nice to see us become more aggressive, we can play lovely expansive football sometimes, but we just need to produce this on a more consistent basis.
“I have a lot of belief in this group and I’m confident we can turn things around this weekend and get the win.”
The Bees ensured their place in the last eight of the Capital Cup following their emphatic 8-1 victory over UCL Academicals last month with Nikki Saunders, Kirsty Matthews and Chloe Logie providing the goals for the first team.
Ahead of Sunday, Osborne is now preparing his side for what he believes is one of the biggest games of the season.
“We want to get as far as we can in all of our cup competitions so to be in a quarter-final, it’s a great opportunity for us.
“It’s a big game and it means a lot to all of us so it’s down to the players to make sure they prepare in the best way possible.”
First team captain Mollie Holmes feels her side should use the Women’s B team’s cup triumph of last season to motivate her team on Sunday.
Our B Team are also in quarter-final Capital Cup action on Sunday, in the junior section of the competition where they take on Civil Service Women at Bedfont Sports Club in a 3pm kick-off.
Tommy Ryan-Maynard’s side have had a slow start to the year with several postponed games halting any type of potential momentum his side was looking to grow.
Despite this, the head coach is excited about the prospect of watching his team compete for a place in the semi-finals of the Capital Cup.
Talking on Sunday, Ryan-Maynard said: “It’s a really big game for us, the whole team including myself are really looking forward to it and we are confident we can progress in the competition.
“We are playing a good team so I know it’s going to be a tough battle and I’d say it’s one of the biggest games of our season so I’m just hoping we can use any nerves we have in a positive way.”
Nia Bowman
The B team had a taste of cup success last season as they beat Islington Borough Ladies to lift The Greater London Women’s Football League Anniversary Trophy.
Assistant head coach Charlotte Tanner believes her side can replicate last year’s achievement in the Capital Cup this season.
“We’re looking for a fast start on Sunday, cup games can be crazy at times and anything can happen so if we get the upper hand early on that would be ideal.
“Last season's cup win was an example of how far this team has come and I’d love nothing more than for the players to be rewarded again for their hard work with another trophy.”