FOOTBALL: WITH a trip to Wembley in the Women’s FA Cup now just one game away, Birmingham City Ladies manager Marc Skinner has stressed once again that his team are motivated to lift their first piece of silverware since 2012.
It was five years ago when David Parker led the Blues to the Women’s FA Cup, and now in 2017 Skinner has high hopes for his new-look team.
A narrow, hard-fought 1-0 victory over defending champions Arsenal has set up a final four encounter against Chelsea.
And Skinner knows his side must be at their best to progress to the final where they will either Manchester City Women or Liverpool Ladies.
“We are not daft here,” Skinner told the Observer. “We realise that whoever we draw in the semi-finals is going to represent a huge challenge for us.
“However, we have a team of talented footballers who are determined to prove their undoubted potential and reaching Wembley is clearly a big motivation for the players and management.
“I stressed only recently that we are not here to make up the numbers against anyone. We believe in ourselves and will be giving it everything.”
Marisa Ewers got the only goal of the game on Sunday as Blues fought hard to earn a 1-0 win over Arsenal.
Skinner reserved special praise for goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who made a series of fine first half saves, and striker Ellen White, who put in a shift alongside Freda Ayisi in attack.
He added: “Ann-Katrin is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and she’s shown that today. We brought her to the club for a reason and you could see why.
“She has made some top class saves and, along with the defensive unit in front of her, worked very hard to keep that clean sheet.
“Ellen is a tremendous worker for the team and once again that was evident. What you’ve seen is Ellen bring the energy she has off the pitch on to the pitch.
“She’s a tremendous professional who offers so much for us. What we want to do now is get her making more direct runs and this will give us an extra attacking edge.
“This is a young project we have here. We have to find different ways to win games and Ellen will have a big role to play.”
