We spoke with Wymondham Town’s goalkeeper Gemma Hamilton-Rout, after the Norfolk League side dumped Premier League Cambridge United out of the SSE Women’s FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round.
SK: Tell us a little of your own footballing history.
GH-R: I have played for many different clubs including Norwich, Lowestoft, Stevenage and Barchester. My longest stint is this one with Wymondham. My preferred playing position is forward, however I have been pushed between the sticks the last couple of seasons due to lack of goalkeepers.
SK: How was your progress to the third qualifying round?
GH-R: Our last game was easier than expected. We played against a team we knew very little about [Moulton]. They showed great potential but lacked conviction when it mattered. We pounced on our opportunities and had a comfortable win 3-0 away from home.
SK: What were the feelings ahead of the Cambridge tie?
GH-R: We knew Cambridge were a good team. They play three tiers above us and we lost to them at this stage last year after extra-time. However, we have vastly improved since then with a new manager and players, so I felt confident it would be a better match than last year.
SK: What gave you the edge on the day?
GH-R: Team work. We never looked like scoring but we never gave up. When the chance finally came, Sally [Hammerton] did well to take it. We worked hard together and competed against a very good Cambridge team. We never let their position daunt us and we came away winners.
SK: When did you feel you’d done it?
GH-R: At the final whistle! We still had 18 minutes to go from going one up. They piled on the pressure, which is never fun for a goalkeeper! As soon as I heard that final whistle, a sense of relief came over me, as well as pride!
SK: How is your season going?
GH-R: Very well so far. We haven’t played many league games due to the FA Cup but we are undefeated in all competitions, conceding very few goals.
SK: What do you think to your fourth qualifying round opponents, Bedford?
GH-R: I think we have just as good a chance as our last game. If we set ourselves up as we did before, we will be very hard to beat. We are again the underdogs but will hopefully use it to our advantage. As the sole representatives of Norfolk, we hope to do it proud!
Sunday November 8th
SSE WOMEN’S FA CUP 4TH QUALIFYING ROUND
Wymondham Town v Bedford
(Wymondham Town FC, 1pm)
All images by Sophie Butler
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