A win for West Ham United in Saturday’s SSE Women’s FA Cup against Manchester City would be ‘an unbelievable achievement’, according to head coach Matt Beard.
The Irons are gearing up for their first ever FA Cup Final, coming in their first season as full-time professionals, but face a tricky test in City, who have been unbeaten in domestic competition this season.
Beard knows the challenge Saturday’s opponents will offer, and knows the significance of what West Ham could accomplish.
If we can pull it off on Saturday it would be an unbelievable achievement.
Matt Beard
“We’re delighted to be in the Final,” Beard said. “We’re looking forward to the occasion and what comes with it, but obviously it’s a big game for us and a game we want to win now that we’re there.
“As much as it’s going to be a great occasion, we’ve obviously got a job to do. If we can pull it off on Saturday it would be an unbelievable achievement.
“We know Manchester City are a good side. They’ve not lost a domestic game all season, so it is going to be a tough test. They’re an established team in this division and it will be a really hard game. However, whoever you play in a Final is going to be tough. We’ll be ready.”
Having won league titles with Liverpool, Beard knows what is required to be victorious in big games and says the side will look to play their normal game come Saturday.
The head coach knows his team have the heart needed to claim a big win this weekend and says everyone involved with West Ham United women’s team deserves credit for helping to get this side to this point.
He continued: “From our perspective, we’re going to prepare as we normally do for any other game. The thing for me is that we’ve got to play the game and not the occasion.
“We’re going to go to Wembley on Friday, visit the dressing room and visit the stadium so we can get that out the way, so when the players get there on Saturday they can just concentrate on their job.
“Winning it would be a remarkable end to a remarkable story. Whatever happens, I think everyone from the coaching staff, to the players and everyone behind the scenes deserves enormous credit for what they’ve managed to create here this year.”