AFC TOTTON WOMEN PREPARE FOR THEIR FIRST EVER CUP FINAL

VENUE:
Snows Stadium, Salisbury Road, Totton, Southampton, Hampshire SO40 2RW
Sunday 28 April 2024 | Kick-Off at 12:30pm

SNOWS STADIUM WILL PLAY HOST to the Hampshire County Women’s Football League Junior Cup Final on Sunday afternoon, when AFC Totton Women take on the Farnborough FC Women’s Development Squad (kick-off at 12:30pm) in search of their first ever piece of silverware.

In only their second year in the AFC Totton fold, the team led by co-Managers Ben Macaulay and Martin Kerr will make their own cup final bow in the first leg of what they hope will be a League & Cup Double, with the team also going strongly in the HCWFL Division 4.

THE MANAGEMENT: Co-Managers Martin Kerr (left) and Ben Macaulay observe from the sidelines during their team's eventual Quarter-Final victory over Eling Ladies in January.

The wet winter weather has left some teams playing double-headers, and AFC Totton Women recorded back-to-back wins over AFC Bedhampton Village Ladies Reserves on Sunday to add another six points to their league tally, sending them four points clear of their closest challengers, Winchester City Flyers Women Reds with a game in-hand. Totton have lost only one league game all season, so they are well set to claim the Division 4 title and promotion if they can hold their nerve during the squeaky bum part of the campaign.

For this week only, though, they can turn their attentions to securing their first ever trophy against a Farnborough side who currently trail Eling Ladies by five points in HCWFL Division 6, with games rapidly running out to prevent Luke Smith’s outfit from claiming top spot in their debut season. Smith announced on Facebook in midweek that Eling Ladies will become part of Hythe & Dibden FC over the summer, ahead of the 2024/25 season.

The two teams may be two divisions apart, but a glance at Farnborough’s route to the Final provides Totton with more than good enough reason to dispense with any feelings of complacency heading into Sunday’s showpiece showdown. The Yellows opened their Junior Cup campaign with a 6-0 away win at Gosport Falcons, before a 3-1 win at AFC Varsity Reserves saw them go face-to-face with another Division 4 side in the shape of Pace Women in the Semi-Final tie at Testwood School, which Farnborough won 3-2.

Meanwhile, AFC Totton Women were the beneficiaries of walkovers in Rounds One and Two, progressing at the expense of NMO Ladies and Grange Ladies, respectively. They finally saw some cup action with a local derby against the aforementioned Eling Ladies at Lyndhurst FC’s ground in mid-January. Despite losing midfielder Mel Macaulay early on due to a painful leg injury on a heavy, bobbly pitch, Totton battled to a goalless draw in front of a healthy Wellands Road crowd, before holding their nerve to come back from an initial setback in the penalty shoot-out to triumph 4-3 in sudden death, thanks in no small part to the cat-like reflexes of goalkeeper Giulia Puccini.

PROGRESS SECURED: AFC Totton Women players celebrate their penalty shoot-out win over Eling Ladies in the Hampshire County Women's Football League Cup.

Lucy Towner’s goal from a Poppy Williams cross made the crucial difference in the Semi-Final victory over Solent Sports Women on the Snows Stadium pitch in February, to advance AFC Totton to their inaugural cup final appearance.

Totton have won all of their last five matches, and lost only one of their last 11 outings in all competitions. Farnborough, meanwhile, suffered defeat at the hands of New Milton Town in their league match on Sunday, extending their current winless streak to three games having suffered a 0-2 defeat at Bemerton Heath Harlequins on 07 April and drawn one-each with Eling the following weekend.

The Farnborough FC Women’s Development Squad is effectively the club’s reserve team for women’s football; the first team, who go by the moniker of Farnborough FC Women, are currently locked in a tense duel with Wight Eagles Ladies for the HCWFL Division 3 crown.

AFC Totton Women co-Manager Martin Kerr spoke to the club’s Matchday Programme about his pride for everything the team has already achieved this season and their eager anticipation of Sunday’s final:

"We're incredibly proud of what the team has achieved so far this season, and reaching the Junior Cup Final is a testament to the hard work and dedication of every player. This final is a big opportunity for us to secure our first piece of silverware, and we know Farnborough will bring their best game. Our focus is on playing our style of football and supporting each other, just as we've done all season. We’ve been building towards moments like this, and it's a fantastic experience for everyone involved.

As co-managers, Ben and I have seen the team's growth and spirit first-hand, we believe in their talent and their teamwork. It's a great moment for the club and our fans, and we're ready to give it our all on Sunday. We hope to bring the cup back to Snows Stadium and celebrate with everyone who has supported us along the way."

by Ben Rochey-Adams

Images courtesy of Craig Hobbs Photography