Brentford Women’s First Team welcome UCL Academicals Ladies to Bedfont Sports Club on Sunday in what is their first competitive fixture of 2023 with kick-off at 3pm.
Following last weekend’s draw in a friendly against National League side Maidenhead United, the Women’s First Team Head Coach, Karleigh Osborne believes his side will be filled with confidence as they go into their Capital Cup fixture.
Speaking on Sunday’s game, Osborne said: “We’re looking forward to getting back to competitive action this weekend, we had a good game against Maidenhead and I think that has helped us prepare for this Sunday.
“I think the result against Maidenhead shows how far we have come, we matched them well and proved we can play at that level.”
Despite the First Team’s main aspiration of gaining promotion from the London South East Regional Women’s Football League Division One North, Osborne is eager for his side to make the most out of their cup competitions.
“It would be an excellent achievement to win a cup, we want as much success as possible here at Brentford and although our main goal is promotion, we want to win every game that we play.
“The B Team did brilliantly to win their own cup competition last season, which was an amazing day, so I know for a fact my players want a taste of that also.”
First Team winger, Nicole Goolab is excited at the prospect of playing competitive football for the first time in 2023.
Our B Team are set to play their first game of the new year on Sunday, also in Capital Cup action as they take on AFC Wimbledon Girls Youth Development at Bedfont Sports Club grass pitches, in a 2pm kick-off.
Following the postponement of last weekend's JGMT Cup fixture against Actonians Reserves the Bees are looking to extend their five-game winning streak against Sunday’s opponents.
B Team Head Coach, Tommy Ryan-Maynard feels confident that his side will carry their good form prior to the Christmas break into their game against AFC Wimbledon Girls Youth Development.
He said: “I think it will be a really good test, they play in the division below us and they are doing really well but I have belief in my team to get the job done.
“We have been training hard since we have come back this year so I think the players are all ready to get back out there and show what they can do.”
B Team number 10, Holly Hawkes gives insight into the importance of having tough training sessions in preparation for the second half of the season.
Ryan-Maynard goes on to discuss the recent development within the B Team which has seen a number of his players called up for First Team duties this campaign.
“I’m absolutely buzzing for the girls that have got themselves First Team minutes this season, it’s really nice to see their game improve here at the B Team.
“A big part of our goal is to produce players that can then go on and become a part of that First Team group, so it’s been really exciting to see.”