We spoke with Carshalton Athletic manager, Brian Edwards, after his London & South East Premier Division side caused the most dramatic of last Sunday’s FA Women’s Cup upsets with a penalties win over Premier League Enfield Town.
How is the season going for the team?
I feel we have made a strong start to to new season. The ladies have reacted well after stepping up a division and we have only lost one game so far across all competitions.
What were the expectations and nerves like arriving at Enfield?
We arrived at Enfield with just 13 players and our 2 subs were both carrying injuries, so it was a threadbare squad. I reminded the team they had done well to get to this stage, so they should go out there, enjoy it and simply give their best. I always feel that if we give it our all, then you can earn your own rewards.
Was the tie much of a rollercoaster – did you ever think the game was won or lost before the shoot-out?
Even when we went 2-1 down in the first-half I thought we still had a lot to offer in the game. My coaching team and I massaged their self-belief during half-time and the ladies came back out and performed magnificently.
You kept a cleansheet in the shoot-out – how so?
We put Chanell Yardley, our goalkeeper, up to actually take our first penalty. We know she can take them and, because she scored, we felt her confidence rocketed and she went on to save Enfield’s first two spot-kicks.
Who scored the decider and did you all go crazy?
Janaya Spiteri scored the winning kick, not that she knew she was in that position as she prepared to take it! Everyone was so happy knowing we’d gone through, of course.
What was the reaction to being drawn away to Herne Bay in the 1st Round Proper?
Herne Bay seem like a club similar to us – over the past three years we’ve both developed and won things, so it should be a good game. Funnily enough, we actually face each other in the Ryman Cup before the FA Cup encounter. We are just so proud of our ladies getting this far, so we’ll enjoy the occasion and just give it our all on the day.
Pictured from top – Brian Edwards gives instrucitons, match action at Enfield Town FC’s QE Stadium, Carshalton celebrate. (Photos: Mikey The Towner)
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