FOOTBALL: Kiveton Park Women relishing their big debut in the FA Cup

Kiveton Park Women take on Sheffield Wednesday Ladies at Chapman Fields (2pm) in the first qualifying round.

Apart from the prospect of a good tussle with a local rival, the tie is a big deal for the club, which was formed in 1881 and runs a thriving stable of male and female teams.

“You have to apply through the Football Association to play in the FA Cup and we were absolutely delighted to be accepted this time,” said Rachel Habergham, the club’s welfare officer.

“It’s massive for us and hopefully the sun will be shining and it will be a great day.

“The reserves have switched their home fixture. They were due to be away. They are going to kick off at 12pm now so they can watch.

“A brewery local to us, Fuggle Bunny Brew House, have donated a keg of beer so we can put hand-pulled beer on for the first time.

“We have a disability set-up for girls with disabilities and additional needs now so they are going to be mascots. That’s really important to us, football for all.”

Rachel added: “Being in the Women’s FA Cup also means little things that people don’t realise. Once a women's team is accepted into the FA Cup then they are allowed an official Wikipedia page, so we will be allowed to show our history on there.”

Kiveton go into the tie on the back of a good start to the season last weekend when they beat reigning league champions Bentley Ladies.

It finished 5-2, the Park goals coming from Sara Tyler (2), Sky Hughes (2) and Millie Simms. 

Park play in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Women's Football League Division One.

The club’s women's section was formed in 2019 when it entered a team into the Sheffield & Hallamshire Women's League Division Two. 

The team's first two campaigns were cut short by the Covid pandemic but in 2021–22 Park earned promotion to Division One after finishing in second place.

There will be a small admission charge on Sunday of £2. 

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