Photo: The FA/Getty
Hartpury FC Women have celebrated another milestone in the team’s rapid development after making their first-ever appearance in the Women’s FA Cup.
The team faced Cirencester Town in the preliminary round of the competition on Sunday 23 August, with an entertaining encounter finishing 4-4 after 90 minutes before Hartpury narrowly missed out 5-4 in a penalty shootout.
Despite the result, the fixture marked a significant moment for a team that was only established at the beginning of last season as an extension of Hartpury’s University and College football programme.
A successful inaugural campaign saw Hartpury earn promotion to Tier Six of the women’s football pyramid, securing the opportunity to enter the Women’s FA Cup for the first time.
The team provides Hartpury students with the opportunity to compete in senior weekend football alongside their academic studies and wider involvement in Hartpury’s performance programme.
Ahead of the historic fixture, Sports Therapy student Louise Hiett spoke about what the opportunity meant to the players.
She said: “The FA Cup is such a big competition. To now get to play in that same competition is pretty cool and we’re all really excited.”
Hartpury Women are led by manager Leah Burridge, who brings significant experience of the competition having represented Yeovil Town Ladies, Oxford United, Wolves, Bridgwater United and Exeter City during her playing career.
While their first FA Cup journey ended in the narrowest of circumstances, an eight-goal contest and penalty shootout provided a memorable introduction to the competition and another important step forward for Hartpury Women.
The team will now look to build on the experience as they continue their second season and their first campaign competing at Tier Six.
