Captain Cochrane 'ready for the challenge' ahead of historic Women's FA Cup clash

And Newcastle Women captain Brooke Cochrane anticipates it will be a special day for Becky Langley's side.

Cochrane said: "I'm proud every week to pull on the shirt and the armband but this will be a special one and stay with me forever."

The Lady Magpies host an Ipswich team who currently sit top of the FA Women's National League (FAWNL) Southern Premier Division, and Cochrane outlined what she expects the visitors to bring to the fixture.

"Ipswich are flying this season, topping their league and scoring plenty of goals," she said. "They'll bring experience, and we know they'll be strong going forward. We are ready for the challenge."

Langley's side also enter this fixture in a rich vein of form, having gone top of the FAWNL Division One North with an emphatic 6-1 win away to Bradford City Women last Sunday.

Cochrane explained how the victory over Bradford continues Newcastle Women's momentum going into the FA Cup clash.

She said: "(The win) allows us to focus on the FA Cup, knowing that we are still in a strong position in the league.

"It also keeps confidence high and everyone in good spirits ready for Ipswich."

Langley's squad showed great character on their trip to Yorkshire, dispatching their opponents confidently after a slow start to the second half saw the hosts level, and Cochrane was pleased by her teammates' ability to find an extra gear.

She said: "To push on and score five after conceding was the most impressive part of the game for me.

"As a team we know our roles individually, and as a group too. When you're all on the same wavelength it just shows how quickly you can turn a game round."

The FA Cup clash will be hosted at Kingston Park, home of the Newcastle Falcons rugby team. The stadium seats 10,200, and Cochrane is relishing the opportunity to play in front of a huge crowd.

"It will be a great day for everyone involved," she said. "It is a great achievement for the team to have got the furthest the club have in over ten years."

The Lady Magpies' captain also delivered a message for her teammates ahead of the fixture.

She said: "Play the game not the occasion; play our football and do everything as a team.

"But most importantly, enjoy every minute of it and show them what we can do!".

Admission is £3 for adults and free for under-16s, concessions and Newcastle United Women season ticket holders. Kick-off on Sunday is at 2pm (GMT) and pay on the gate opens from 12.30pm.

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC