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Women's Team midfielder Rebecca Foster relishing stadium semi-final in-front of "amazing" fans

Just over a week ago, F.C. United Women won what will hopefully be just their first piece of silverware, retaining the Manchester FA Women’s Cup with a 2-0 win over Manchester Stingers. Midfielder Rebecca Foster played a central role for the Reds’ in the final and the win resulted in her first piece of silverware since joining the club back in the summer. Foster was delighted to win the first trophy of her United career, last weekend.

"It feels amazing. I came to F.C. with the aim and vision to win silverware and that’s exactly what we are doing. With a squad of this talent, along with how passionate and driven Luke [Podmore] and Mark [Partington] are, it was inevitable that we would win something."

The final was the Reds third game of four last week, despite Foster only playing the final two, she believes that it didn’t have too much of an effect on the squad as a whole. "Mentally it isn’t challenging for me and I think I speak on behalf of the girls in saying that. We continue to grow in confidence with each game we win. Coming back off a cup final win, it was nice to be back playing in the league and show both teams that we deserved that win and how good we actually are. Luke and Mark work with us a lot off the pitch in terms of our mental attitude before a game - their positivity shines through."

"Physically, it’s challenging playing four games in seven days but we have top quality players in all positions and even more importantly we have a strong squad. It’s not even just a strong 11, when Luke is forced into changes, we still have a very strong team out on the pitch", Foster added.

Having already won six games from six (in all competitions) in the month of April, Foster admits that confidence is on a huge high amongst the squad, at this present time. "The confidence is very high. It would be hard for it not to be with us being County Cup champions, top of the league and in the last four of the Argyle Cup. We have a nice mix in the dressing room, we have players who have played at a high standard, experienced girls and those that have been at F.C. for a long time. I can’t speak for the seasons before this as it’s my first but this season it feels like we have a squad that can win against any team that is put in-front of us - having that mix of players helps towards this."

After the Reds beat Stockport County Blues 4-0 on the road, on Wednesday night, Foster praised the fans once again on social media following another superb turnout in midweek. The midfielder can’t thank the fans enough for their support this season. "They travel to every single away game and it actually didn’t sink in how amazing they are until I noticed there was a large majority at the last three midweek away games. It’s something that us players always talk about and something we are honoured to have! We appreciate the fans so much!"

After playing a number of away games in the last few weeks, the Reds have not played at Broadhurst Park since mid-February. Foster is relishing the chance to get back in-front of the fans on home turf with the Argyle Cup semi-final against CMB Ladies tomorrow afternoon. "It feels like we haven’t played a home game in a long time. We have played on some challenging pitches in the last few weeks, none more than the cup final pitch, but we have displayed some great football on these pitches so I think everyone is excited to show our trademark football once again."

Tomorrow’s Argyle Cup semi-final will be the Reds second game inside the main Broadhurst Park stadium, this season. Foster admits that it is a pleasure, for herself and the team, to have the opportunity to play on the main pitch. "Playing in the stadium is an honour for me and I can imagine it is the same for a lot of the girls. We are very lucky to have a stadium that we can play in and have our amazing fans there watching us. I think we need to treat it like any other game and not let the occasion get to us. It’s something we’re very good at and again that’s down to Luke and Mark’s attitude before the match. They make sure we are all focused and ready for the job in hand."

Tomorrow’s opponents, CMB Ladies, are currently playing their football in the NWWRL Division 1 South Premier division, a tier above the Reds. The division gap doesn’t get to Foster however. "For myself, playing against a team in the league above doesn’t faze me. I prepare for it like I would for any other game. I think the standard that we play as a team fits in the league above anyway, so we will be confident that we can win the game, like we are in any other game. The difference with higher league opposition is their organisation and discipline on the pitch. However, playing a team like that is exciting and gives us a challenge that we have all been waiting for."

The Reds are looking to close out the season strongly on all fronts, with tomorrow’s semi-final the start of that before a final three league games. As Foster gets to the end of a memorable first season for herself in red, she has praised the influences around her for a successful first year at Broadhurst Park. "When I spoke to Luke and Mark before I joined the club, they described the club as a project. A project to get to where we should be and deserve to be. To do that we need to win leagues and cups and that’s exactly what we aim to do. I expected to win silverware at this club because of the management and the players that were already here, but also the players that have been brought in throughout the season have been top class. Personally, I have clicked with players more than I have at any other club. I have to mention my partner in the middle of the pitch - I haven’t clicked with anyone on the pitch like I have with Liv [Greenhalgh]. It’s becoming a running joke that we are just one person and that’s because we are an absolute duo. Having a solid midfield has been key to this season and I’m pleased to have been able to contribute to that."

"It’s exciting to be part of taking F.C. United Women to the league we deserve to be in. Luke’s mentality is very similar to mine which is to always strive for the best and when we reach our target, always aim higher", Foster added.

You can see how Foster and her teammates get on in our Argyle Cup semi-final against CMB Ladies, tomorrow afternoon, in the main Broadhurst Park stadium - 2pm KO.

We hope to see you there!

By Mikey Partington


First Posted ~ 20:00 Sat 21 Apr 2018
News ID ~ 7867
Last Updated ~ 21:49 Thu 18 Feb 2021