Wasps’ FA Cup showdown with Arsenal highlights gulf in women’s game

Part two of Sent Her Forward’s preview of women’s football’s big day out in Crawley

Faye Rabson (left) has been a regular scorer for Wasps over the years but now shares the goals with the likes of Sian Heather (Photo: Ben Davidson)

When Crawley Wasps entered this season’s Women’s FA Cup competition, thoughts were on a little run that would perhaps get their name more widely known as they continued their remarkable journey towards the big time.

Wasps prefer home comforts to cash bonanza for Arsenal tie

Part one of an in-depth look at preparations for a massive day for women’s football in Sussex

Parking at Oakwood FC is limited

Crawley Wasps have rejected the chance to cash in on the biggest day in their history by making their Women’s FA Cup tie against Arsenal a potential money-spinner at Crawley Town after players and officials insisted they wanted to take on the Super League giants on their own turf.

In-form Crawley finally downed at the 20th attempt

Sussex Challenge Cup semi-final

Crawley Wasps (0) 1 (Young 77)
Chichester City (1) 2 (Taylor 9; Lewry (pen) 83)

All-conquering Crawley Wasps lost their 100% record in cruel fashion – to a hotly disputed late penalty, just minutes after they had got themselves back into the match – to crash out of the Sussex Women’s Challenge Cup and miss out on the final for the first time in four seasons.

All eyes on Crawley as Arsenal and Manchester United come to town

Crawley Wasps beat Coventry United, leaders of the division above, to secure their fourth-round spot (Photo: Ben Davidson)

Women’s football in Sussex is set for another bumper FA Cup weekend after Super League Brighton and giant-killers Crawley Wasps landed home fourth-round ties against the mighty Arsenal and Manchester United.

And with Brighton playing their home games at Crawley Town this season, two of the biggest names in English football will be parading their skills within four miles of each other in four weeks’ time.