AFC Telford Ladies bidding for cup upset over Shrewsbury Ladies
Lifelong Shrewsbury fan Sean Evans insists his AFC Telford Ladies team have nothing to lose when they take on Town tomorrow.
The rivals meet at the Shrewsbury Sports Village (2pm) striving to secure a place in the Shropshire Cup final.
Shrewsbury Ladies are in the West Midlands Regional Division One North, one tier above the Bucks who play in the Birmingham County League Division One.
But having knocked out TNS Development in the quarter-finals, Evans is hoping his team, who have won 15 out of 15 in the league, can pull off another shock.
"They're favourites but we've got every chance," said Evans. "For us this competition is a bonus.
"It's a cup game and anything is possible if we start well and give everything. We need to enjoy it too. That is the level we want to get to.
"We're a new team and club and only started last June. We're a new group and a young team, our aim was promotion and we've nearly done that.
"We've scored a lot of goals and we have a lot of pace as well as being a very strong team.
"I've got a nice headache. We trained on Wednesday night and a lot of players have given me something to think about for being in the team."
With the sides playing in different divisions, Shrewsbury boss Alex Owens is looking forward to taking on a different team.
"It will be a good occasion for us to face a new local rival because you don't know much about them and it tests you on the day," he said.
"Being a local derby spices the game up. When we played TNS in the FA Cup, it was a feisty game against our biggest rival in terms of where we want to be, and we played very well.
"In terms of preparing for this game, for the first time this season we have a fully-fit squad. It's hard to name a squad of 16 when they've trained well. Each player has shown determination to be in the squad and its great that they've caused me trouble choosing a side."
Skipper Charlotte Sewell on facing Telford "It’ll be a good a game of football from two great teams, we’ve worked hard to get where we are and we want nothing more than to be in that final. We will put everything into the game and get the result.
"Obviously it’s always slightly more competitive when it’s a local derby and both teams will want bragging rights, but it’s all to play for. However, we know what we need to do on the day to be where we want to be.
"We have a strong squad and I wouldn’t like to be in the situation the coaching staff are now in, having to pick the 16 squad members, but also the 11 to start the game. There’s never been such tough competition for places and such high standards here, but I know the girls on the day will give 110% and as captain that’s all I can ask for. We’re looking forward to game and hoping to be heading for the final!"
