Durham Women FC prepare for Manchester City clash on Sunday

The game, which will be played at Maiden Castle in Durham, is the fourth round of the Adobe Women's FA Cup and it will be broadcast on the BBC. The Durham team are aware of the challenge that they face in Manchester City, who are currently second in the Women's Super League. The Durham Women FC team, known as the Wildcats, are hoping for a 'moment of magic' when the match begins at 12.30pm.

They are relying on their fans to spur them on and maintain focus throughout the full 90 minutes. Captain Sarah Wilson said: "The crowd really know how to get behind us. "They do get us over the line.

It's a really personal club and having over 2,000 of them out there getting behind us will give us that bit of an advantage." She explained how exciting it was to come up against "the best" in the country. She added: "This is what the FA cup is all about.

We are going to go out there and give it everything. "This game is huge for the club, personally and for the team this is massive. "As soon as that whistle blows we will be focused and nothing else really matters.

"We are going to fight for it and each other. "It's exciting coming up against the best in the league and some of the best in the world."

In 2023, the Wildcats played Manchester United in the FA cup and suffered a 5-0 defeat. They are drawing on their experience from that game and one against Chelsea in 2019 to prepare. Defender Becky Salicki said: "We did play against Chelsea a few years ago.

We are now competing against professionals week in week out. "It's a game of football at the end of the day. We need a little moment of magic, you never know.

"This is the FA cup, bigger upsets have happened." Reflecting on what it means for the club as a whole she explained how special it will be for young girls in Durham to be able to watch. She said: "I think it is really important they see no matter where they are or where they come from they can play against some of the best players in the world.

"Hopefully the women's game can just keep growing." Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device, click here[1] Most read

Chilling words of Bishop man before pulling trigger at Tan Hill Inn[2] Framwellgate Peth in Durham to close for resurfacing works[3] Person dies on train tracks between York and Thirsk stations[4]

Sarah Wilson had a message for fans ahead of the game, she said: "Just enjoy it. "Get behind us like you always do. We have no doubt that will happen.

"Bring the noise and we will give it back on the pitch."

You can watch Durham Women FC play Manchester City on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport online and the FA Player.

References

1. ^ here (www.thenorthernecho.co.uk)
2. ^ Chilling words of Bishop man before pulling trigger at Tan Hill Inn (www.thenorthernecho.co.uk)
3. ^ Framwellgate Peth in Durham to close for resurfacing works (www.thenorthernecho.co.uk)
4. ^ Person dies on train tracks between York and Thirsk stations (www.thenorthernecho.co.uk)