Chelsea and Manchester City will fight it out to earn the right to play Notts County in the FA Women’s Cup final at Wembley Stadium on August 1st. It’s the first time the iconic stadium has hosted a domestic women’s match.
The semi-final takes place at Wycombe Wanderers’ Adam Park, the scene for Manchester City’s most famous night to date. City won last year’s FA Continental Cup at the same ground beating Arsenal 1-0.
Chelsea ladies will go into the match as favourites having started the season in real style. The West Londoners are unbeaten in all competitions. They won their first 6 matches in a row but were held to a goalless draw with Arsenal in their latest WSL1 fixture.
City have had mixed fortunes so far this season. They had an unbeaten start to the year with a draw at Birmingham City before beating Sunderland but more recently lost their last two WSL 1 matches against Arsenal and Liverpool.
Manchester City overcame Doncaster Rovers Belles and Birmingham City to reach the semi-finals, winning both matches 3-1. Meanwhile Chelsea thrashed Watford 6-0 before beating last year’s winners Arsenal 2-1 in the quarter final.
Katie Chapman, who scored in the win over the Gunners, is expecting another battle against Manchester City. “It’s an FA Cup semi-final, it’s going to be a massive game and both teams are going to want to get into that final at Wembley.
“When we face Manchester City I’m expecting another tough, physical game and it’s important for us that we stick to our game plan and play the football we know we can.”
Chapman has won the FA Women’s Cup a remarkable 8 times but admits the prospect of a Wembley final is exciting. “Getting to Wembley is a massive incentive and I think it’s great for women’s football in this country because it’s a massive stage to be on”.
“To get a lot of supporters going there to support the women’s game is fantastic. I haven’t played there yet so it would be amazing for me and we’ll see what happens.”
Manchester City’s Abbie McManus described her shock at the announcement that the final would take place at Wembley Stadium. “It was Krystle Johnston who told me and because she’s a bit of a prankster, I thought she was having me on!”
“I didn’t quite believe it at first but then I saw it on the Internet and it’s such an exciting prospect.”
She said, “We made history last year, winning the Continental Cup, and we could do it again by being one of the first women’s club teams to play at Wembley.”
“It would definitely be a dream come true. Imagine telling your children that when you’re older! It’s not something you hear of in the women’s game.”
