Abi Wallace can’t decide whether she wants Hull City to have a home draw against local rivals York City in the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup – or to head to London to face Arsenal.
“As an Arsenal fan, I want Arsenal away at the Emirates – that’s the dream for me,” she tells SheKicks.net.
Wallace was the hero on Sunday as Hull City edged fifth-tier Mancunian Unity 2-1 to reach the fourth round proper for the first time in their history, saving an 89th-minute penalty to retain the one-goal advantage.
“It’s a weird one because normally when you get a penalty [awarded against you], it’s a keeper’s nightmare. But for some reason I felt quite calm yesterday when they got given one, and I just thought, ‘It is what it is.’ I felt quite confident and thankfully I saved it.”
View this post on Instagram
She is now one of a quartet nominated for player of the round – alongside Southampton’s Atlanta Primus, Newcastle United’s Shania Hayles, and York City’s Katie Astle – but she says that any one of the Hull team could justifiably have been nominated after having to dig deep for their win.
“We played [Mancunian Unity] in pre-season a couple of seasons ago and they were in the same sort of position they were then – obviously, we were a tier-four club, but they brought us a game then, and to be honest, I don’t really know how they’re tier 5 because in my opinion, they’re a really good side. They know what they’re doing. The credit’s to them yesterday – to just lose out 2-1 against the tier 3 side, it’s a good feat for them.”
Abi Wallace: All the girls are brilliant
Hull are currently seventh in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier as they seek a consistent season after some recent turmoil. They’re also bringing in more fans.
“We’ve got a good following at the moment. We’ve got the regulars that are there every week and we’ve got a couple of new people that are taking a shine to the club and the way we do things, and all the girls are brilliant.”
And the whole squad will have their eyes on their squad WhatsApp chat on Monday evening when the draw for the fourth round is made – and whether it’s a near-neighbour or a WSL giant, Wallace will be excited to break new ground with Hull City.
“We’ve had a good run this year,” she says. “We’re history-makers now – into the fourth round for the first time.”
