We spoke with Radcliffe Olympic manager, Sam Winch, after his Premier League Midlands Division 1 outfit dumped WSL 2 Durham out of the FA Women’s Cup on Sunday.
SK: Tell us a little about your playing / coaching history and experience
SW: After years playing football all across the world, I found my first job in the US coaching the women’s team at the UNLV. This was followed by a stint as manager in Australia as the Girls’ Development manager and first team manager of Ballarat Red Devils in the state Premier League. Amongst jobs managing various men’s teams, since returning to the UK I took over the first team at Radcliffe Olympic LFC in December 2012.
SK: How did you feel when you were drawn at home to a WSL side?
SW: Absolutely delighted. The team has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years and I was hoping to test there ability against a side of Durham’s quality.
SK: Did you rate your chances of winning ahead of the game?
SW: Despite doing some extensive research on Durham, I wasn’t 100% sure what to expect. However, we had a game plan and have worked tirelessly on the training ground for the past few weeks. Not only that, but I know what the FA Cup is all about and it’s cup upsets like ours that makes it the best domestic cup competition in the world!
SK: What was crucial in winning the game (other than scoring the only goals!)?
SW: We stressed before the start of the game, that we needed to settle in quickly to the game and make our home advantage tell. However, the attitude was to continue our fine run of 13 wins in a row and take the game to the opposition.
SK: How good were the celebrations and general feeling afterwards?
SW: There were remarkable scenes at the end of the game with all players and fans running on the pitch to celebrate with the players. There was a huge feeling of success and with two more cup games to come next week, it leaves us brimming with confidence.
SK: Is this looking like the team’s best season?
SW: This season has seen us beat Nottingham Forest LFC for the first time in the club’s history, as well as achieving qualification for the 3rd round and now the 4th round of the FA Women’s Cup for the first time. However, we remain in sixth place in the league and are yet to win any silverware, so our feet remain firmly on the ground!
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