Charlton Athletic Ladies travel to Everton on Sunday in what is arguably the biggest match of their recent history.
Prior to their reformation in 2007, Charlton had won two Charity Shields, two League Cups and one FA Cup but they now play their domestic football in the women’s third tier.
Their opponents Everton are themselves in a process of recovery, after last year’s relegation into the WSL2, but Andy Spence’s side are so far unbeaten in the league, drawing their last two matches to follow an opening day win at Aston Villa.
Spence is expected to welcome back a number of the England Under 19’s squad that were involved in this week’s dramatic penalty replay incident. The team will also include a number of those from last year’s FA Cup Final defeat against Arsenal.
One of those names, Danielle Turner, believes this may help Everton on the day. She said: “Everyone that was involved last year knows the journey to get to the cup final.
“We suffered the heartbreak in the final but to get there again would be amazing and the fact it’s at Wembley for the first time, it would mean absolutely everything to the girls.”
The Toffees face a Charlton side in a rich vain of form, unbeaten since November, winning 13 and drawing 4. The overall mood in the Addicks’ camp seems to be one of confidence and winger Nikita Whinnett believes the underdogs can be the ones to take a step closer to Wembley.
“I genuinely think we can beat them,” she said.
“Obviously the pressure is off but we’ve also got to believe that we are good enough, otherwise there’s no point being part of the FA Cup if you’re never going to push yourself or never going to believe.”
Everton needed an extra time winner to overcome Bristol Academy in the fifth round, whilst Charlton got the better of Coventry City to earn their spot in the last eight.
