Home/Women/News/Astle: “I’m immensely, immensely proud”

Astle: “I’m immensely, immensely proud”

Ladies boss reflects on FA Cup defeat…

By Luke Thompson - 12/11/2018

Posted 7 years ago

Harriers Ladies manager James Astle spoke of his immense pride following his team’s exit from the SSE Women’s FA Cup.

Having progressed through four previous rounds to get to the First Round Proper stage, Harriers faced Wolves Women of the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands, which is two steps higher than Harriers’ league, the West Midlands Regional Women’s Football League Division One South.

To add to the cup tie, amongst the Harriers squad and management were numerous former Wolves personnel.

The match ended in defeat, the visitors to Aggborough winning 6-1.

Speaking following the match, Astle gave us his thoughts on a hard afternoon.

“It does hurt, but we will keep on smiling because I’ve just said to the players that I’m immensely, immensely proud of them,” said Astle.

“Making history to get to the First Round Proper is just absolutely phenomenal.

“It’s 6-1, you can’t get away from the scoreline – two of those goals were really well drilled and executed goals, and we’ve been doing that week in, week out but we couldn’t do that today.

“There were a couple of mistakes and deflections but that’s football”.

“…It does hurt, but we will keep on smiling…” James Astle

Harriers now turn their attentions back to League and County Cup action.

Despite playing just five league matches, Harriers sit in 3rd place in the league on 15 points, and are the only team to have taken points away from current leaders Sedgeley & Gornal United.

A concequence of Harriers’ FA Cup run is that they now have six matches in hand on the league leaders, and Astle is now looking forward to getting back to league action.

“We’re back to training on Thursday, and we will go again,” said Astle.

“I want to get back to the league now, it’s OK having those games in hand but I’d rather have points on the table”.

A crowd of 330 were at Aggborough on Sunday afternoon – a record for Harriers Ladies.

“That is absolutely fantastic, we very much appreciate all that came and supported us!,” added Astle.

“That’s a record attendance for us! It’s great news to hear”.

This article is about: Women