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Ladies football: Star boss is hoping his girls don’t freeze
Northern Star ladies (back l-r), Shay Stanford, Megan Quirke, Nina Flory, Georgina Sturgess, Sofia Aragosa, Jodie Bartle, Sam Woodham, Chanade Henderson, Georgina Campbell-Turner. (front l-r), Jade Ramm, Rachel Adkin, Ellen Dainty, Kayla Dortch, Leanne Malcolmson
NORTHERN Star Ladies are dreaming of a slice of footballing history on Sunday.
The city side travel to Premier League club Barnet Ladies in the third round of the FA Women’s Cup. It is thought that a shock Star success would make them the first-ever team from a regional level to defeat top-flight opponents in the competition.
A mammoth task awaits them at Underhill but manager Chris Lyon has urged his players not to freeze on the big stage.
It is by far the biggest game the club and all our players have ever been involved in,” said Lyon.
“But for the first time throughout our cup run there is no pressure on the ladies. In previous rounds we have always been favourites or been expected to do well at the very least.
“This time no-one will give us even the slightest chance but I’m sure the players won’t freeze.
“Hopefully we’ll just play our normal game and see what happens.
“We’re fourth in our league and unbeaten since the beginning of October so things have been going well, but that could well change this weekend!
“We have to be realistic and the gulf of four leagues between the top level where Barnet play and our division is massive.
“It’s much bigger than it would be in men’s football.
“But everyone knows than anything can happen in a football match.”
Star have already come through five FA Women’s Cup matches to earn their date against a Barnet side who boast a host of youth, junior and full internationals in their squad.
They beat Northants Women’s League sides Brackley and Moulton in the opening two rounds before seeing off Brentwood to advance to the first round proper. Away triumphs at Billericay and Coventry Sphinx followed to set-up Sunday’s game.
And teenage Star player Jade Ramm can’t wait to tackle Barnet.
The 16 year-old winger said: “It’s a great opportunity for us a club and we’ve worked really hard to get this far.
“We deserved the chance and I’m sure we’ll do our best until the final whistle.”
The Star squad: Leanne Allen, Kayla Dortch, Megan Quirke, Samara Iredale, Jodie Bartle, Sofia Aragosa, Nina Fiory, Rachel Adkin, Gee Sturgess, Tash Smith, Jade Ramm, Chanade Henderson, Julie Ikeda, Cady Cadisson, Ellen Dainty, Cara Clarke.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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