After losing the SSE Women's FA Cup Final earlier this month, Jess Clarke hopes Notts County can go one better in the FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup come the end of the season.
The Lady Pies have won three out of three in the competition so far and look to continue their perfect start away to Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Clarke admits the Cup Final defeat by Chelsea at Wembley Stadium, as well as their Semi-Final defeat in the Continental Tyres Cup last year, has made them hungry for success.
Aston Villa v Notts County
FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup
Group Three
7.45pm, Wednesday 26 August
Sutton Coldfield Central Stadium
However, the England winger has warned her team-mates to ensure they get the job done at Sutton Coldfield Town before looking too far ahead.
“It has been a great start to the competition for us,” said Clarke.
“We have been looking really confident in front of goal and we have been building confidence as a team and I hope that can continue.
“Obviously you want to get to The Final but you have to take each game as it comes.
“We have to deal with each opportunity that is in front of us and it won’t be an easy game and we can’t underestimate the threat posed by Aston Villa.
“Last year’s exit does provide us with motivation. You want to make every final you can and especially after making The Final in The FA Cup as well, it will be nice to win a cup, but it is important that you don’t look too far ahead.
“We played Aston Villa in pre-season last year and they beat us, before we then beat them in the Continental Tyres Cup and although I haven’t seen them play this season, I suspect they have progressed as a club since then.
“Teams like Aston Villa can make it tough for you and they have players who can hurt you, so we have to play with confidence and try to create chances and control the game.”
Villa’s chances of progressing from Group Three look bleak, having lost all three of their ties so far.
But forward Katie Wilkinson says now is the time to play with the handbrake off.
Aston Villa forward Katie Wilkinson
“Sometimes we go into games looking to be defensive, but we need to get at them, to try and take the game to them,” she said.
“If we do that and end up losing 5-1, we’re only in the same situation as before.
“It is difficult when you play against a WSL 1 team. You want to compete, but there is a massive gap.
“Of course we look up to players like Ellen White and Laura Bassett who have done great things with England, but when you are out there on the pitch you can’t just stand there and look at them in awe.
“You don’t want to lose the game, so while you have to respect them, you also have to forget who they are for 90 minutes and try and triumph on the day.”
