Glamour? Glory? Giant-killing? There’s something about the FA Cup that sparks extra passion and emotion among football fans country-wide.
The Women’s side take on Forest Green in the first round of the prestigious cup on Sunday, after beating a QPR side one division above in the last qualifying round.
But for Dartford Women’s Co-Manager Connor Dymond, he’s treating it like any other game.
He said: “We like to play on the front foot and will try to be a more aggressive as we are at home, but we aren’t treating it any differently to our other matches. We go in to win them all.
“They are the same tier as us, just in a different region and we will make sure we are as prepared as we always are and give it a good shot.”
The Women’s side made it to the second round a few years ago, losing to Oxford United, away. Connor and Co-Manager Martin McCarthy would love the chance to go one further this time round.
He continued: “You don’t set out to go as far as you can in the FA Cup at the beginning of the season, but when you get the opportunity, you want to take it.
“We want to win and get a nice draw in the next round and see how far we can go. Fulham had a good run a few years ago and a kind draw and then drew London City – and Millwall had a good run a few years ago too, and got to the third round.
“There are still a lot of good Tier 4 and Tier 5 sides in the competition, but we’d love to win, get a good draw and go as far as we can.”
The team has been on fire this season, winning all their matches, with a number of new faces settling in well.
The side beat QPR in the last round of the Cup on pens, with a 6-1 win this week in the league against Sport London E Benfica.
Connor continued: “The QPR match was a very professional game from the girls. We prepared really well and had a lot of information on the team and exploited it.
“We controlled a lot of the game and they were fortunate to score from a clearance.
“We did some penalty practice and it paid off, as we came away with the win.
“We rotated a few players for Sunday’s league match to allow some who hadn’t got as much game time, time on the pitch. We said it’s a squad game and it’s important we give every player a chance. We are going to need everyone over the season.
“Sunday wasn’t the best performance in the first half, but we got the job and we showed our quality and character in the second half. We are a hard-working side and everyone looks after themselves. Full credit to them, they battled hard and were a hard team to play against.
“Ellie was left with a cut on the head and knee after a tackle, but is expected to make a full recovery for Sunday, she’s a tough cookie. Apart from that, we look in good shape.”
And Connor saved the last word for the supporters, who he and the girls hope to see in their numbers as they look to progress to the next round.
He added: “It means everything to us and the players. They are working so hard and you can see the difference having the crowd there makes in their performances and on their faces afterwards.
“The home crowd can act as a 12th man. We ask anyone associated with Dartford to come along and show their support and really rally the girls along.”
Dartford Women take on Forest Green Rovers at Princes Park on Sunday, 26 October – 2pm KO. Please come along and show your support!
