'Biggest game of careers' West Brom Women boss on tackling Manchester United 'idols' in FA Cup
Albion Women boss Siobhan Hodgetts-Still has told her players not to fear lining up against some of their idols in 'the biggest game of their careers' against Manchester United.
The Baggies travel to Leigh Sports Village on Saturday afternoon to tackle the reigning champions in the fourth round of the competition.
United won the trophy in May with a 4-0 rout of Tottenham in front of 75,000 at Wembley and are fourth in the Women's Super League. Albion, in the third tier Northern Premier, have matched their best run in the competition by reaching this stage.
While the sides only play in the top division and third division, such is the gulf in the women's game generated by the riches of the Super League at steps one and two, part-time Albion are vast underdogs in the tie.
"This is the current holders, Man United, it doesn't get much bigger than that," said Hodgetts-Still, whose side have won through three rounds to make this stage.
"There's no pressure on us. We've done really well to get to the fourth round. I said to the players we know their qualities, we've watched them on telly, play in World Cups. We have to respect that but don't want to give them too much respect.
"Some of our players will idolise and look up to their players, but we are sharing the pitch with them now - how amazing. We respect that but have to try to compete.
"There will be nerves but we've also got to enjoy the moment. We've earned to play there with a really good Cup run. For some it will be the biggest game of their careers."
United, managed by Marc Skinner, boast a squad packed full of top-level stars including England hero Ella Toone and internationals from Brazil, Japan, Norway, France and The Netherlands.
It is a double-header for Albion in the Cup. The men's side are down in Bournemouth for a 3pm kick-off and the 5.15pm clash in Manchester has attracted the attention of Baggies fans. Away travel has been laid on for an away allocation of 1,100.
It remains to be seen if United defender Lucy Newell, 18, a lifelong Albion fan who left permanently for the Red Devils last summer, will be involved. Albion's Olivia Rabjohn will not face sister Evie, as the United defender is injured.
"We respect what some of these players have done for women's football, but we can't fear them," Hodgetts-Still added. "Some will be nervous, rightly so, but we haven't changed what we've done in the working week.
"We know it will be difficult, with the quality they have, but that's the beauty of the FA Cup as well. We have to be organised and anything can happen in the FA Cup. We have to put a performance in and stay in the game."
There is even a rivalry in the head coach's household between Hodgetts-Still and partner Rebecca. She smiled: "We have family travelling up. My partner is a massive Man United fan. Hopefully we'll have a little bit of fun.
"For the draw I'd had this feeling all day, when it happened we were messaging each other. The same with Liv and Evie, they had a feeling it would be too.
"She supports me, comes to every game, I think I turned her into a West Brom fan too, I think she'll put Man United aside on Saturday and look for a West Brom win!"
It is Albion's first fixture of 2025 after a home clash against Derby fell to the snow last weekend. The side signed off for 2024 with a penalty shootout victory over Wolves in the Birmingham Challenge Cup quarter-final.
