FC United Women v Penrith AFC Ladies Preview

Sunday 22nd October sees FC United Women begin their defence of the Argyle Cup in this season’s first round as they host Penrith AFC Ladies - Unlike the Reds’ conventional home fixtures, the game will be played on the main pitch, inside the stadium and is the conventional 2pm kick-off.

The fixture will be the third time that the team take to the grass since the stadium’s opening back in 2015. With the Women’s Team having the Broadhurst Park (3G) as their designated home pitch, stadium appearances are something of a rare occurrence for the side. In previous years, United have played two end of season friendlies on the main pitch meaning that Sunday’s fixture will be the Women’s Team’s first ever competitive fixture in the ground.

Last year’s 2-1 loss to the Great British Police team was the first and only time since, that manager Luke Podmore has seen his side play in front of the fans on the main pitch and is relishing the opportunity to do it once again on Sunday.

"I’m absolutely delighted to have been given access to the stadium for this game. It means a lot to myself and the players to have this opportunity. The occasion should be wonderful. We cannot wait to see our fans turn out and hopefully we can reward them with a good performance. I think the day overall is going to be a fantastic one for the club and for women’s football in the North West too. We are giving the fans and the people in the local area the chance to come and see what we can do. I hope that they will take up this opportunity and we can get some new fans because let me tell you, this team is special. We can’t wait to get going on Sunday!", said Podmore.

The Reds will be hoping to impress the faithful in the stadium with a performance similar to those shown in the early stages of the season. United currently sit top of the NWWRL Division 1 South with four wins from four games, having scored 47 and conceded none (GD +47). They also began their defence of the Manchester FA Women’s Cup with a 3-1 win over Didsbury FC Ladies back in September and reached the 2nd Qualifying Round of the SSE Women’s FA Cup before being narrowly knocked out by Wigan Athletic LFC.

As for the opposition, well Penrith will probably prove the toughest test of the season so far for Luke Podmore’s side. The visitors, like United, currently sit top of their division, having won all five of their opening games. They play in the corresponding north section of the Reds’ league and finished runners-up last season to Sir Tom Finney, the team United beat 3-2 in the Quarter Finals of this competition last season on their way to lifting the trophy in May. The early season numbers tell us that we are in for a very close and tightly contested game between two good sides looking to get a cup run going on Sunday.

Sunday’s game will be the first ever meeting between the two sides. The Reds have never met with the Cumbria-based side since our formation at the beginning of the 2012/13 season.

As mentioned earlier, the game will be the first in our defence of the Argyle Cup. The Reds’ won the coveted trophy for the first time in the club’s history back in May after a 6-4 win over Bury FC Ladies on a sun-soaked afternoon in Liverpool. Captain Kirsty Chambers scored that day and just like manager Luke Podmore, cannot wait for the opportunity to play in the stadium once again on Sunday.

“Sunday will be a great opportunity for us, especially for those who haven’t experienced the stadium atmosphere before. I know we’ve played friendlies in the stadium before but to play a cup game in there will be another memory for us as a team. We will most certainly embrace it and make the most of it. Personally it will be another amazing day for me to remember when I look back along with all the other great memories I’ve had over the past five seasons at this club. It’s an opportunity to put a show on for our fans, friends and family and hopefully we can gather our usual large crowd as well as some new faces too!???, said the skipper.

You can see the Reds begin the defence of the Argyle Cup at Broadhurst Park on Sunday - 2pm Kick-off!

Admission: Adults - £2 Children (U18) - £1

We hope to see you there!


By Mikey Partington