Brentford FC Women’s First Team are set to play Abingdon United Women tomorrow afternoon in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup. It is a Second Round Qualifying tie for the teams, who are two wins from the First Round Proper. The fixture will kick off at 3pm and take place at Bedfont Sports Club; the home ground for Brentford FC Women’s First Team and B Team.

Both sides have shown excellent league form thus far in the 2021/22 campaign. With Brentford sitting third following three wins and two draws from five fixtures and Abingdon, a division higher, placed second only on goal difference after a flawless start winning their first four matches. The home side picked up back-to-back victories for the first time last weekend, scoring nine and conceding two in the process, therefore will go into the game brimming with confidence.

Head Coach Karleigh Osborne is aware of the threat Abingdon pose but relishing the challenge ahead and said: “It will be a good test for us and we know they’re a good side. We must show our quality during the game in order to compete. I think if we do that it will be a good battle and hopefully, we can come out on top.”

The Bees are amongst 50 clubs who enter the competition at the Second Round Qualifying stage. In total there are 418 clubs participating in the cup this term, with 182 having already battled it out in the First Round Qualifying. There is an additional monetary incentive riding on this match with the winner walking away with £450 and the loser picking up £115 for their efforts. Karleigh is pleased with the involvement of prize money in the competition and believes it is positive the FA is aiding the funding of women’s football teams.

He said: “If we can win and get a little bit of prize money then that’s brilliant. It helps fund the team and we’ll look to do something to treat the players as well. Most importantly we want to keep competing and represent the club in a positive manner.”

As previously mentioned, Brentford have made an impressive start to the season and will no doubt have one eye on promotion. Different managers have varying views on whether a cup run is of value. Karleigh views the FA Cup as an opportunity for the team to gain momentum.

He said: “It builds confidence as well as sometimes giving us the opportunity to rotate and get players in. I think overall it gives you the chance to build team morale, at the end of the day winning football matches is always going to be important.”