Defender Demi Stokes insists her Manchester City will give their everything to reach the SSE Women’s FA Cup showpiece, after drawing current holders Chelsea in the semi-final.
City, the only semi-finalists not to have reached the final before, will travel to London on April 17 with revenge on the agenda after losing 1-0 to Chelsea at the same stage last season.
The Blues secured their place in the last four with a 2-0 victory over Sporting Club Albion on Sunday, continuing their unbeaten start to the season.
But despite Chelsea booking their spot in the semi-final with an emphatic 6-0 win against Aston Villa, 24-year-old Stokes (above right) insists there is no fear in the City squad going into the game.
“There are only four teams left and no team is going to be easy,” said Stokes, with the other semi-final seeing Sunderland take on Arsenal, while FA & SSE have announced that all children will be able to attend this year’s final for free.
“No one is going to roll over for anyone. We’re happy with the draw and although it is away, it is who turns up on the day, whether that be home or away.
“Chelsea have been contenders and winners of the SSE Women’s FA Cup last year, so they’re going to come out and it is their trophy, but we want to win and be involved in that final.
“Either way it is going to be a competitive game.”
Stokes, who moved to City in early 2015 after a four-year spell in the US playing for South Florida Bulls, experienced SSE Women’s FA Cup dismay during her time at Sunderland when they lost 2-1 to Arsenal in the 2009 final.
However, she is confident her new side can advance to the final and make amends for her devastation seven years ago, and admits it would be a dream come true if they were to lift the trophy.
“The SSE Women’s FA Cup is big and everyone wants to win it, whether that be in the men’s or women’s game,” Stokes added. “It’s a huge trophy to win.
“It would be amazing to win, you know the journeys of your teammates and other girls, so to go on that journey and win the cup would be brilliant and so amazing for the club.
“You have to be confident, you can’t go in half-hearted or feeling sorry for yourself, but I think we are well aware of what teams can do.
“A lot of teams have signed some very good players, so it is going to be very competitive, but our main focus is ourselves and how we can get the very best out of us.”
To buy your tickets to The SSE Women’s FA Cup Final, visit www.thefa.com
