We've got great expectations to bring the cup home, says Addicks boss Stuart Weston

Friday 25th April 2014

STUART WESTON hopes his Charlton Athletic women’s team can carry on their winning momentum in the London FA Capital Cup Final on Sunday, but is well aware of the threat that Queens Park Rangers will pose his side.

After two defeats in FA Women’s Premier League South games against league leaders Gillingham and Brighton & Hove Albion, the Addicks bounced back to winning ways last weekend, beating the latter 2-1.

That victory erased memories of their 4-1 defeat at the Withdean Stadium the Sunday before, and gives them something to build on at Imber Court this weekend.

Weston told www.cafcwomen.co.uk: “After the 4-1 loss we came into training the next week a little bit subdued because we were still hurting from that defeat.

“We worked really hard in our two training sessions that week, put some things right, made a few changes and the ones that came in did excellent.

“Overall a really good performance and when you look at the passing stats, we thoroughly deserved the win and it could have been more than 2-1.

“The fact that we’ve had that performance – the work rate, the fact that the girls worked hard for each other, good movement, good passing, the will to win – is good. It’s great to take that winning momentum through into the final.”

The manager emphasised that his players cannot afford to become complacent, despite their opponents currently playing one level below them.

Rangers are on the verge of lifting the South East Combination title and gaining promotion to the Premier League

“I know QPR have got a fair few decent players and they are a good side so we need to go there treating them like they are the best side we’ve played this year,” Weston added.

“We can’t be complacent because we’re in the Premier League, it doesn’t work like that; a cup final’s a cup final.

“You’ve only got to look at their results – the league isn’t much different from the one we play in now and they’ve had some really good results this year.

“The only other SE Combination team we’ve played this year is Milton Keynes in the FA Cup, we won that 3-0 but it wasn’t a walkover.

“QPR are going to be a different kettle of fish; they’re going to be strong, they’re going to come out at us and I don’t think they’re going to show us too much respect.”

Competition for places in the first team is hotting up now, with Weston able to make three changes to the side that lost on the south coast and still claim the three points.

One player that particularly impressed was winger Sophie Blowers, who was promoted from the development squad. Alice Singyard also came in at left back and played well, with the returning Katie Flack a boost. Elsewhere, midfielder Grace Coombs could make a comeback for the final, after a spell out injured.

Those options are pleasing for Weston, as he looks to select a team capable of retaining the Addicks’ London Cup trophy.

“[The players] are up for it now, they’re training hard and we have a squad now that they are playing for their places to be in the final this week so hopefully we get that reaction and we get the balance and the squad right and we get a result and retain the cup.

“Obviously we beat Arsenal reserves in the final last year, I wasn’t running the team then but I was there helping out and it was a great occasion and to come away winning it is a great feeling.

“We don’t want to go there and come away with a runners-up medal, we want to win it. We’re the holders, we’ve got great expectations to bring the cup home again with us.”

Meanwhile, Sunday’s game will be the climax of three Women’s Cup Finals, which will be played at the home of Ryman League Division One South club Metropolitan Police.

The Junior Cup Final between Colne Valley Ladies u18s and Denham United Ladies will kick off at 10:30am.

The Intermediate Cup Final between Brentford and Queens Park Rangers kicks off at 2:00pm, before Rangers aim to create an upset against Weston’s side at 5:30pm.

Article courtesy of www.cafcwomen.co.uk

Charlton Athletic v Queens Park Rangers
Capital Women’s Cup Final
Sunday 27^th April 2014
Kick Off 5:30pm
At Imber Court Sports Club, Ember Lane, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 0BT