FA Cup Action Awaits For LCFC Women At Tottenham
The Foxes have reached the quarter-finals of the prestigious competition in each of the last two campaigns, and will aiming to overcome the first hurdle of this season’s tournament when they travel to meet Rehanne Skinner’s side this weekend.
Ahead of the cup clash in the capital between two Barclays FA Women’s Super League teams, check out the key information to know…
The Foxes camp
A last-gasp Alisha Lehmann goal denied Leicester a point from their last WSL outing, against Aston Villa at Pirelli Stadium on Sunday, as the Foxes went down 2-1 and suffered a first home defeat in the league of 2022, remaining 11th in the divisional standings.
Focusing on the cup, City’s successful run to the last eight in 2020/21 included wins over Liverpool (1-0) and Manchester United (3-2), before eventually being knocked out by Manchester City.
The opposition
Tottenham’s impressive campaign to date sees the Lilywhites occupy fourth spot in the top-flight, with 21 points collected from their 12 matches, including six victories and just three defeats.
Their foundations are built on a solid defensive unit which has conceded just 11 goals in the league – only Arsenal and Chelsea have let in fewer.
And while they shipped three in defeat to Manchester United at the weekend, Spurs were five unbeaten in all competitions before that loss, winning four, including their Continental Tyres League Cup Quarter-Final against Liverpool.
In the dugout
Tottenham head coach Rehanne Skinner is a former LCFC Women player, who also progressed through the coaching ranks with the Foxes. She took on the roles of Girls Centre of Excellence Technical Director, Girls Under-19 Academy Director, Community Manager, and Women’s First Team Manager.
In November 2020, Rehanne took over as Tottenham Hotspur Women’s head coach, since continuing the 11-year success of Karen Hills and the nine-year reign of Juan Carlos Amorós. In Skinner, Spurs have a coach with plenty of experience across club and international football.
Spurs finished eighth in the WSL in 2020/21 and Skinner is now be looking to improve further during her first full season in charge.
Ones to watch
Versatile defender Ria Percival has played every minute of Spurs’ league campaign this term and is an important cog in the team, contributing one goal and one assist. The New Zealand international, who signed for Spurs in 2019 after spending a year at West Ham United, has played over 150 times for her country. She previously represented clubs in the United Women’s Soccer League, Bundesliga and Nationalliga A.
Moroccan international Rosella Ayane joined Tottenham in 2019, after leaving Bristol City. The Reading-born forward began her senior career at Chelsea in 2013. Ayane had multiple loan spells from 2015 at Millwall, Bristol City and Everton before moving to Cypriot First Division club, Apollon Limassol. The 25-year-old has appeared 10 times in the WSL this season, scoring once.
A summer signing from Reading, Molly Bartrip, 25, has already impressed in Tottenham’s backline, helping to keep seven clean sheets in all competitions this term. Before joining the Lilywhites, the English defender spent seven seasons with the Royals, racking up over a century of appearances. Her experience has been key for the north London club.
Talking points
Speaking in Thursday's pre-match presser, Lydia Bedford said: “I’m expecting a really good competition this weekend and a real chance to test ourselves against a team that is sat right up in the table. It gives us a chance to see where we’re at.”
Sam Tierney told the media: “We know what we are going to face, it will be a tough game, but anything can happen and, on your day, it’s your battle against theirs and it’s who wants to win it more.”
Last time out
Spurs took all three points from their visit to King Power Stadium in early October 2021 – the first time the two sides had met in the top-flight. Former Fox Rachel Williams and Angela Addison did the damage to inflict a 2-0 defeat on the hosts.
Although not against Spurs, Leicester's last visit to Sunday's venue was more favourable, defeating London Bees 7-0 at The Hive in March 2021 on their way to the FA Women's Championship title. Esmee De Graaf's long-range stunner - her first for the Club - was the pick of the goals that day.
Ticket and travel news
Foxes supporters are able to purchase unreserved match tickets for the fixture online, HERE, priced at £6.50 for adults, £4.50 for young adults and £3.50 for concessions, housed in the Legends Stand at The Hive.
Limited Fox Travel is also available for this fixture, priced at £18. This will depart from King Power Stadium at 10:30am on Sunday. More information can be found HERE.