After losing two FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup Finals to Arsenal, Birmingham City stalwart Kerys Harrop is hoping for better luck this time around.
The 25-year-old had just broken into the first team in 2011 when the Gunners stormed to a 4-1 win at the Pirelli Stadium. Things were much tighter 12 months later when only a late Kim Little goal separated the sides in Barnet.
Harrop has tasted success with the Blues in the shape of The FA Women’s Cup and she is desperate to finally add the Conti Cup to her haul when they take on FA WSL 1 champions Manchester City on Sunday.
Man City v Birmingham
Continental Tyres Cup Final
3pm, Sunday 2 October 2016
Academy Stadium, Manchester
Tickets: £7 adults, £3 concessions
Live on BT Sport
She said: “I hope it will be third time lucky. Hopefully that phrase actually comes to fruition for us. We are really excited by this game. We lost the last two finals so we’re looking to make amends.”
Vice-captain Harrop is the longest-serving member of the Blues’ squad, having graduated through the club’s Centre of Excellence.
Harrop, who scored in the semi-final win over London Bees, and club captain Emily Westwood are the only existing Birmingham players who were at the club for those three cup finals.
Harrop said: “The two of us have got that big-game experience, both good and bad. It would have been nice if more of us could have had the experience of those occasions but it’s up to me and Woody as captain and vice-captain to share our experiences and help the others through.
“And even though I know what it feels like to lift a trophy with Birmingham, I’ll definitely be using those two disappointments to spur me on this time.”
London Bees 0-4 Birmingham City
David Parker’s side have been the surprise package in FA WSL 1 this season. They finished last term in the sixth place, out of eight, level on points with second-bottom Liverpool.
They opened with back-to-back defeats by Liverpool and Man City but then went on a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
However, Harrop is expecting to be tested by Nick Cushing’s side.
She added: “City have got a lot of internationals in their team and we know it’s going to be a very, very difficult game. We know we are the underdogs but it’s 11 girls against 11 girls and we’ll give it our all.
“Man City have been the best team this season so it’s a massive challenge, but one we are relishing.”
Tickets are priced £7 for adults and £3 for concessions.
A family ticket (two adults and two children) is available at £15 and group booking and Charter Standard discounts apply.
