We spoke with Brighton & Hove Albion keeper Faye Baker, after she kept a clean sheet against WSL side Oxford United, while her teammates hit a stunning ten goals in the FA Cup 3rd Round tie on Sunday February 7th.
SK: Had you fancied your chances at home to Oxford?
FB: On our day we believe that we can beat anyone. We’re a hard team to beat and prepare really well. We have some great coaches that do a lot of background work, so that we can prepare in the best possible way. We didn’t see it as a challenge, but more of a chance to show what we’re made of and to show that the WSL 2 is a league we want to be in.
SK: Did you have to pinch yourself at half-time, with a 4-0 lead?
FB: I was shocked, I did expect it to be a lot closer but everything at half time was positive. It was more of a shock that we were 4-0 up and playing against the conditions as well.
Pictured – Brighton celebrate a Charlotte Gurr goal against Oxford. (Photo: Geoff Penn/BHAFC)
SK: Was it difficult to keep your feet on the ground at that point?
FB: No, we’ve learned in past seasons that you can’t afford to become complacent. It only takes a minute to score a goal and we were fully focussed on getting through the next 45 minutes and making sure it turned out to be the day we planned.
SK: Could you have ever imagined a scoreline like that against senior opponents?
FB: The result shows the quality that’s in the [FA] Women’s Premier League and there are other teams in our league that are equally as strong. It shows that the gap between WSL 2 and the Premier League isn’t as big as some people expect it to be. There are some teams that could step into the WSL 2 and make a good name for themselves. But you never imagine beating any team 10-0, let alone one that plays in the league above you.
SK: What do you think to drawing Blackburn Rovers at home in the next round?
FB: It will be tough, they are near the top of the Northern Premier League and it will probably be a physical test. They had a very good result against West Ham, beating them by a heavy margin. We know they’ve got a couple of really good players that some of our girls know quite well, so it will be a challenge.
All images by Geoff Penn/BHAFC
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