WOMENS | ‘Respectful but confident’ Blues looking for Cupset in Cheshire County Cup Semi

    Chester FC Womens Manager Dean Vian has said his team are ‘respectful but confident’ ahead of their Semi Final Cup clash at Crewe Alexandra on Sunday.

    The Blues Womens team have never made it beyond Round One in this competition in previous years, but now have an outside chance of silverware – a fantastic achievement for the team.

    Standing in their way on Sunday is Crewe, a side three divisions above in the Women’s Premier League – but Vian is confident his side can cause a shock this weekend.

    Speaking to ChesterFC.com, he said: We’re a confident team. We have always believed in the players but we’ve needed them to believe in themselves – they do now.

    “Training recently since the draw has been fantastic, the girls are really up for it. We’re respectful but confident. The players really believe in what myself and Adam (Wood, Assistant Manager) are trying to do.”

    A bye in Round One was followed by successive home victories in this cup competition in Round Two and the Quarter Finals to Northwich and Egerton respectively.

    The game in the Second Round, a 5-0 thrashing of Northwich who are in the league above, shows the excellent progress they are making.

    Vian said: “We’ve never actually been beyond the First Round of this competition in previous years, so I’m delighted with how far we have made it. It was a good positive start in Round Two against Northwich – we were disappointed to get a bye in the First Round because these girls just want to play football; but we’ve taken it and progressed nicely.

    “Playing at home has been a big benefit for us, we have a big pitch at Ellesmere Port and it allows us to play our style. In the Quarter Final it could easily have been a banana skin playing a side in our Division but we were very good in a 2-1 win against an improving side.

    “Last year we had some issues with players, but this year we have really settled nicely and I’ve been so pleased with the progress we’ve made this season.”

    A trip to Crewe is the Womens first away cup tie, but on another big pitch Vian is confident his teams style of play will be benefitted.

    “Of course playing away will have an impact, we would have liked to have them at our place and get a fair few people down for the game. But we will still take a good number to cheer us on at Crewe – it’s a nice little ground.

    “Again, the big pitch which will suit our style of play because we can get the ball down and move it around. In terms of stamina, we’re probably one of the fittest teams in the league too. It will be helpful for us.”

    Manager Vian has done his regular scouting mission ahead of the game – and will be quietly confident that his side can pull off a Cheshire Cupset.

    He said: “We’ve been to watch them as we do with most teams. We work hard on that side of the game. We’ve identified what they’re good at and where they can be exploited.

    “They’ve got a strong squad and lots of players who can change the game in an instant. They are physical and well organised. But we are a confident team, and we will be ready for this big test.”