Having defied doctor’s orders to recover from a potentially career-ending injury this year, Sheffield captain Carla Ward should perhaps have nothing to fear ahead of Sunday’s FA Women’s Premier League Cup Final against Charlton Athletic.
Yet with the Addicks making an impressive run to The FA Women’s Cup quarter finals this season, the experienced midfielder believes her side face a tough challenge to retain their crown.
Sheffield claimed the title last season as Ward’s stunning hat-trick fired her side to a 6-2 triumph over Cardiff City, completing a remarkable League and Cup double.
Charlton Athletic v Sheffield
The FA Women's Premier League Cup
The Final
3pm, Sunday 3 May
James Parnell Stadium, Nuneaton Town FC
Progress has not been so serene this campaign, with the club facing an unprecedented injury crisis and Ward suffering a relapse of a back injury following spinal surgery last year.
But after making her comeback against the odds two months ago, Ward is confident her side will not be short of motivation to secure back-to-back titles this weekend.
She said: “It was very exciting last year, we got there for the first time and it was a massive day for the club so we definitely wanted to be back.
“But it’s not been as plain sailing as last year – it’s been a bizarre season with the most injuries I’ve ever seen in one team, myself included.
“We’ve gone into a couple of games with only 12 or 13 players so it has not been ideal, but with our togetherness we’ve somehow pulled ourselves through and it’s worked in our favour.
“I had an operation on my spine last year then just before Christmas I had a relapse – my doctor said I wouldn’t play again but I didn’t listen and I’ve been back playing for about two months now so I’m probably one of the fresher players.”
Ward (second left) is congratulated after scoring in last year's Final
Despite resembling a casualty ward at times, Sheffield have impressed again in The FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division, sitting in second place behind leaders Coventry with a game in hand ahead of their last three games.
And with promotion to FA WSL 2 a possibility should they take the title and win the subsequent play-off, Ward insists her club are ready to step up.
She added: “I’m quite surprised we are where we are in the League, with the amount of injuries we’ve had I’m gobsmacked that we are up there.
“Our aim has got to be getting into WSL 2 as we’ve got the players that are capable of playing at that level.
“I’ve got a lot of friends in both Leagues and I’m sure we can compete if we got there – we’d have to make a few additions but we could do it.”
