FA Cup

JESS SIGSWORTH has talked of how much she misses playing in front of Manchester United’s boisterous supporters ahead of the team’s Continental Cup clash against Everton.
And the Red Devils forward is urging fans to keep their ‘heads-up’ as the country prepares to enter a four-week nationwide lockdown from Thursday.

Jess Sigsworth (right) says she misses playing in front of Manchester United’s boisterous fansCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The FA confirmed football in the top two tiers of the men’s and women’s game will continue under ‘the elite sport guidance and protocols’ of football’s ruling body.
This includes the Continental League Cup competition which Manchester United hope to win for the first time in the side’s history.
It has been almost nine months since the team played in front of spectators.

Their last competitive game in front of crowds was a 3-2 WSL away match win against Everton.

Ahead of Wednesday’s game Sigsworth, 26, said: “We know our fans are at home supporting us, and we really appreciate it.
“Hopefully it (lockdown) won’t last too long and things will start to get better.
“Everyone needs to keep their head up and hopefully we’ll see them in the stands again soon.”
Casey Stoney’s United will take on a Toffees side eager to bounce back from their 3-1 Women’s FA Cup final loss to Manchester City on Sunday.

Jess Sigsworth says United will be ‘wary’ of Everton looking to bounce back from their FA Cup final loss to Man CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And although wary of Everton’s quality Sigsworth, who signed a new club contract in June, is confident her team has the ability to overcome Willie Kirk’s tenacious Toffees.
The United forward added: “They’re a great team now. Willie Kirk has got them in good shape, and they look good, so we’re not taking anything for granted.
“We are wary of them and we know they can bounce back, but we believe in our own ability.
“We know if we stick to the game plan, we can beat anyone.
“I think it’s going to be a good game and we’re confident, so hopefully, we will get the win again.”
Sigsworth and her team-mates, who are currently unbeaten and third in the league, are set for a tantalising WSL encounter this Sunday.
The Red Devils, who strengthened their squad with the signings of Alessia Russo, and World Cup-winning duo Tobin Heath and Christen Press, will take on league leaders Arsenal.

Everton, whose players include Rikke Sevecke, will be looking for a win against United Credit: Reuters

Sigsworth says United are a much stronger side after signing Christen Press (pictured), Tobin Heath and Alessia RussoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

And United will be looking to pick up their first game win in the league against the formidable Gunners.
Sigsworth said: “I look back to last season and when we started we played Arsenal and they beat us 1-0.
“I feel like we’re in better shape now. We’ve made some great signings and we’re looking forward to competing with teams like Arsenal.”

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GARETH TAYLOR will walk out at Wembley today, 21-years after making history with Manchester City in the club’s famous play-off final victory over Gillingham in 1999.

Joe Royle’s side looked set for another season in England’s third tier as the Gills led 2-0 with two minutes to go, while Citizens fans poured out the nearest exits of the old national stadium.

Gareth Taylor (centre) and the Manchester City players lined up for a tense penalty shoot out against Gillingham in the play-off final at Wembley, 1999Credit: Allsport – Getty

Gareth Taylor playing for City against Huddersfield at Maine Road in 1999Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
But the game exploded to life and with a minute remaining of the 90, Kevin Horlock latched onto a loose ball and drove it into the opposition goal to give City some hope at 2-1. 
And the drama wasn’t over.
With the clock ticking Taylor won a header to help set up Paul Dickov for a dramatic late equaliser, and City went on to win the penalty shootout.

Cue mayhem among the Blue half of Manchester and sheer disbelief from the Gills supporters.
Now the 47-year-old will walk out at Wembley again as his fully-fit City side face Everton for the Women’s FA Cup final.
Taylor recalled: “One thing that does sit with me was the fact that we were heavy favourites against Gillingham.
“We were heavily supported every game that we played that season and the expectation was hugely high and sometimes winning wasn’t enough.

“We had to win by the cricket score. And that’s not easy, that pressure that the players were under on that day was big.

City skipper Andy Morrison lifted the trophy at the old national stadiumCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Gareth Taylor scored 17 goals for Burnley during the 2002/03 seasonCredit: PA:Press Association

“And after about 85 minutes it didn’t look good when we were 2-0 down. It was a contrasting day of emotion.
“Once we got back into the game 2-1, we felt there was an opportunity we then got the second goal, and I’ve never been more convinced of winning a football game.
“You can imagine the different emotion for obviously the Gillingham players who literally thought they were there.
“It was just amazing and something really nice to look back at, I still keep in contact with a lot of the lads from that team.
“One thing I will say about that team was that we didn’t have any major stars in there.
“What we did have was a team of guys who were all pulling together in the right direction and again that wasn’t just the starting players, the ones in the stands also.
“We had a real good team ethic about us and I think that helped us massively on that day.”
Taylor featured 55 times for City and was shipped out on loan to various lower league sides during his three years at Maine Road.
The former striker signed for Nottingham Forest in 2003 and hung up his boots at Wrexham eight years later before immediately returning to City as a coach.
The women’s side are two-time FA Cup winners, and lifted last year’s trophy thanks to a 3-0 drubbing of West Ham.

Manchester City won the Women’s FA Cup with a 3-0 win over West Ham in 2019

Georgia Stanway celebrated her vital second goal in her player of the match display
Taylor has already led the women out at the national stadium at the Community Shield in August.
But taking taking City to an FA Cup final would be his proudest moment since his arrival in May.
He added: “For us to win the trophy on Sunday would be amazing and the biggest thing for me in my coaching career so far.
“I’m learning so much about the women’s game and enjoying many many parts to it.
“To be here on on Sunday, looking forward to a Cup final and leading out the team, is a hugely proud moment for me.”
Taylor knows from his own playing days that the national stadium can be a nervy prospect for some footballers.
He continued ” It can affect you in different ways.
“I remember the first time I played at the old Wembley and the first five or 10 minutes just passed me by. I was too busy just looking around at the surroundings.
“We have to try and block that out and play the game, not the occasion.”

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GARETH TAYLOR teased the prospect of World Cup winner Rose Lavelle making her debut for Manchester City in their Women’s FA Cup clash against Arsenal.
Taylor’s players face the Gunners on Thursday in the semis of a contest delayed from last term because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Rose Lavelle could be set to make her debut for Manchester City on Thursday evening Credit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

His team, which includes Lavelle, 25, and her US teammate Sam Mewis among their new signings, are vying for a place in the final of a competition they have won twice.
And the City boss reckons the USA playmaker, who helped knock the Lionesses out of the World Cup last year, is “keen” to make her mark.
Taylor, 47, said: “Rose has been training hard. What we’re trying to do with her is just make sure that when she is introduced –  which is hopefully over the next couple of games, that she’s ready –  because she is quite slight in stature and she had an issue when she first came to us with a slight injury.

“She has been really keen to get back in and start joining in the matches.
“It’s just been a case of keeping the reins on her slightly, just before we let her go and do her thing so, hopefully, we start to see that and, again, it gives us another option, which is great.
Taylor’s players, who defeated a high-energy Leicester City in the quarter-finals, will host Joe Montemurro’s Arsenal at the Academy Stadium.
The North London side, who lost to Chelsea in the finals in 2018, have won the cup on 14 occasions.

And the Gunners boss, whose line-up is likely to include Lisa Evans, the hat-trick hero from their win against Tottenham, says his team will take a “do or die” approach.

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Lavelle (right) and her USA team-mate Alex Morgan are among several NWSL stars who joined Women’s Super League clubs this term Credit: Reuters

Montemurro, 51, said: “There needs to be a level of patience also tomorrow, because they are a very good ball playing side, and we just need to be smart in terms of picking our times and our ability to win the ball back.
“But it’s a do or die and there are moments in the game that we need to make sure we’re prepared for and don’t let ourselves down.”
“The team that get into their rhythm as quick as possible and is able to control and dictate is going to be very very important because we are similar footballing sides.”

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