Women’s FA Cup football returns to Croft Park for the first time in 18 years on Sunday, as Blyth Spartans Women host West Allotment Celtic, 2pm kick-off
It promises to be a historic afternoon for the club, with the women’s side preparing to make their first appearance in the competition following promotion last season.
Captain Evie Graham will have the honour of leading Spartans out at Croft Park and says the occasion will rank among the proudest moments of her career so far.
“I’m buzzing to be captaining the side in our first FA Cup game,” said Graham. “It’s a massive statement and it’s really big for the club to be part of such a historic competition, where the men have had success as well.
“I’m excited for the game and to have the home advantage with the community behind us.
“On a personal level, to be the captain and to be able to lead the team out is one of the highlights of my playing career to date. I can’t wait for the occasion.”
Sunday’s tie represents another significant milestone in the development of Blyth Spartans Women, who secured promotion in their first season and will step up into the Premier Division for the new campaign.
Before league matters take centre stage, however, attention is firmly fixed on the FA Cup and the visit of West Allotment.
Graham says excitement has been building throughout the squad as the players prepare for the challenge.
“Everyone in the squad is excited,” she said. “Everyone knows how important it can be for the club’s history and for our own history as the women’s team.
“Training has been high intensity and high tempo and we’ve been challenging ourselves, so we feel prepared.
“There’s a lot of energy in anticipation of the game, with everyone excited for the challenge we’re going to face against a side who look strong.”
The tie also provides an early test for a Spartans squad which has been strengthened over the summer ahead of its step up following promotion.
A challenging pre-season programme has helped prepare the side for the demands of the new division, while several new additions have settled quickly into the group.
“I think we’ve got a lot to give for the upcoming season,” Graham added. “We’ve prepared well with challenging pre-season games.
“We’ve had some really good and exciting new additions to the squad who are already raring to go and fitting in really well, further strengthening the squad and putting us in a really good position.
“We know it’s going to be a challenge going into the Premier Division, but we’re as prepared as we can be and have been working hard to be ready for what’s to come.
“I’m confident with the squad and management we’ve built in pre-season that we can push the teams who are already established in that division.”
With FA Cup football returning to Croft Park after an 18-year absence, Sunday represents an opportunity for the women’s side to write another chapter in the club’s history - and Graham is hoping the Blyth community will be there to share the occasion.
Blyth Spartans Women vs West Allotment Celtic, FA Cup, Croft Park, 2pm.
