Match Previews

Vitality FA Cup preview: Albion prepare for semi-final

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A look-ahead to Saturday's game against Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village.

By Bruce Talbot • 14 April 2023

By Kyle Hemsley
Julia Zigiotti was named Albion captain in the second half of the 2022/23 season.

Albion will bid for a place at Wembley on Saturday when they travel to Manchester United in the semi-final of the Vitality Women's FA Cup. 

Kick off at Leigh Sports Village is 5.15pm and the game will be live on BBC 2. 

View from the bench 

Head coach Mellisa Phillips said, "First of all it's a great achievement by the squad to get to a semi-final and we see it as a great opportunity for us. Looking back at the league game, I don't think 4-0 was an indictment of our performance. For 60-70 minutes we were well organised and created some good chances.

"If we can shore up lapses in the six-yard box I'm sure we can cause them problems. Manchester United have some incredible threats and are an exceptionally well-coached team but we will be competitive that's for sure."

Player to watch 

By Paul Hazlewood
Alessia Russo has scored 11 goals in 19 appearances for England.

Alessia Russo started her career in the youth academies at Charlton and Chelsea, but it was here at the Albion where she made her senior debut, against AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup in February 2017. She netted the club’s first-ever goal at WSL level the following week in the Spring Series game against London Bees, but her stay was short as she left for US college side North Carolina Tar Heels.

The England international joined United in September 2020 and she has gone on to become a prolific scorer for club and country. 

Previous meetings 

04:02

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WSL Highlight: Albion 0 Man United 4

The sides met just a fortnight ago in the WSL when leaders United won 4-0 at the Broadfield Stadium, with two goals coming in the last five minutes. 

In eight league games against United, Albion have won just once when Inessa Kaagman’s penalty secured a 1-0 win at the Broadfield Stadium two years ago. We also took a point off United in February 2020 when it finished 1-1 at Crawley, with Aileen Whelan scoring our goal. 

United have won six of the eight matches against Albion. In October they won 4-0 at Leigh Sports Village with Ella Toone (2), Leah Galton and Adrianna Leon on target for the hosts. 

Galton and Leon were both on target in the league game a fortnight ago.