Golcar United Ladies head into their first ever cup final this weekend and manager Nathan Martin said: “We’re underdogs but we can genuinely beat anyone on our day.”
It’s been a successful season after promotion with a midtable finish and the chance of silverware.
Golcar take on favourites Bradford Park Avenue Ladies in the League Shield Final at the HQ of the West Riding FA in Oulton on Sunday May 26 (11am).
Nathan said: “Everyone is buzzing for the game and it’s a reward for a great season. I came into this season wanting to avoid relegation and have a bit of a cup run and we’ve exceeded that and got to the final.
“We know it’s going to be a tough game against a team from the league above us but we genuinely believe we can beat anyone on our day.
“While we never expected to be in the final we are not just going there to take part, we are going to go for it.
“If the worst happens, I will be proud of what we have achieved but if we win, it’ll be a good Bank Holiday weekend!”
Nathan Martin
Golcar won at Boroughbridge in the semi-final with a brace from 20-goal top scorer Ainsley Strickland and goals from Maddie Walsh and Charlotte Parker. Both Ainsley and Maddie are bridesmaids at a wedding and can’t make the final, however.
After a slow start to the season, the team then went seven matches unbeaten and won four matches to reach the cup final.
“We brought some new players in and since January everything in training has started to click,” said Nathan. “Everybody gets on and we have a great environment. Everyone is enjoying it and we have a winning mentality.”
The team was supported by 60 fans who travelled to Boroughbridge and there’s a coach going from the Skye Direct Stadium on Sunday.
“It’s great that we have so much support,” said Nathan. “And we are going there to win.”
Images by: Huddersfield Hub photographer SEAN DOYLE
