“Fearless, Ruthless, Relentless”: Brentford’s mantra ahead of FA Cup first round
Brentford Women will look to continue their “fearless, ruthless and relentless” mindset as they head into this weekend’s FA Cup first round clash against Ascot United. Kick off is set for 3pm Sunday at Bedfont Sports and Social.
Brentford have had a sensational start to the season, winning eleven games in a row and scoring at free will. They are top of the London & South East Regional Division One North, the sixth tier, and won their last match a whopping 15-0 against Richmond Park.
Strikers Chloe Logie and Ashley Cheatley bagged five goals each in that win, and they have remarkably already scored over 40 goals between them this season.
However, their opponents represent their toughest task of the season so far. Ascot United are flying this year, unbeaten in eight games to start the season and they sit in first place in the Southern Region Premier Division, a tier above Brentford.
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‘Measuring stick’ game for Brentford
It is the second consecutive year that Brentford have made the first round proper of the FA Cup. Last year, they came from 3-0 down to force extra time against Southampton before eventually losing 4-3 in a thrilling encounter.
That game against fourth-tier Southampton, as well as their 2-0 win over fifth-tier Sport London e Benfica in the last qualifying round, gives Brentford confidence that they can match Ascot United.
“We take confidence from those games just in terms of belief more than anything”, said defender Sam Read.
“I don’t think we should underestimate them, they are a strong team being undefeated. That’s not – as we know – an easy feat to do, and they do like to score goals as well.”
“So it will definitely be a good showdown, but we have belief and I’m sure they do too, so it’ll definitely be a great game.”
When asked if these games against higher-level opponents represented a measuring stick for how good Brentford can be, midfielder Sophie Troth answered: “100%.”
“I feel like we’ve said this now for the last few years, we’ve come so close to getting promoted, but we’re coming up against these teams in the leagues above and we’re beating them and matching them.”
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Coach Karleigh Osborne’s influence
“I do think we’re a different team this season, just in our mindset more than anything, and that stems from Karleigh and the coaching team”, Read said.
“We have three values this year: fearless, ruthless, relentless”, she went on, “if you look at the scorelines in our games, those are the three words that will speak out in what we’re doing”.
Head Coach Karleigh Osborne, who made 185 appearances in an eight-year spell with the Bees, has been key to instilling the confidence and mentality that has underpinned Brentford Women’s brilliant start to the season.
“He’s the backbone of the team really”, said Troth. “If he’s confident, then there’s no reason for us not to be confident.”
After a 15-0 win, there is always the danger of getting carried away. That simply isn’t the sort of team Osborne has, though.
“Definitely have to guard against overconfidence”, Read remarked, “but I don’t think that’s the mindset that we have.”
“We won 15-0 because we’re being ruthless. We’re not going to back off the pedal at any time.”
Star in the making
19-year-old forward Chloe Logie continues to go from strength to strength this season.
The arrival of Ash Cheatley in the summer has liberated some of the goalscoring burden from her, and she has also improved off the ball and added assists to her arsenal this season.
Read and Troth were both effusive in their praise for their teammate. “The sky’s the limit for her”, said Read, “to be only 19 and to be that good, we’re incredibly lucky she stayed with us this season, she has belief in the club and in us and how far we can go.”
“She’s a special one for sure.”
“It’s nice for her to stay with us”, Troth agreed. “This year now, she’s added extra stuff to her game and getting assists as well, which she wasn’t getting last year when she was our main goalscorer.”
“It’s great to have Ash so we have two goalscorers, and for them to add assists to their games as well, it brings a whole different side to the team’s game in total, so it’s lovely to have that.”
Final thoughts
Ascot United will pose a stern test to Brentford. They have also been free-scoring this season, notching an impressive 40 goals in their 8 games this season.
The Bees will have to keep a watchful eye on Olivia Glover and Leah Littlechild, who have 8 goals each this season, as well as Beth Lloyd who has scored 7 times.
Both sides are looking to reach the second round for the first time in their history. It is all to play for at Bedfont.
