Tier six Altrincham Women FC prepare for historic FA Cup tie
Altrincham Women FC welcomed Her Game Her Way to their Tuesday night training session on December 9th, as preparations continued for the club’s historic Adobe Women’s FA Cup third-round clash against York City Ladies this Sunday, December 14th, at The J.Davidson Stadium (2:00pm kick-off).
The team’s remarkable run has already made club history, marking the first time Altrincham Women have reached this stage of the competition. Now the lowest-ranked team left in the tournament, they stand on the brink of becoming the first-ever tier 6 side to reach the actual fourth round.
The club advanced from the opening qualifying rounds after fixtures including:
- Altrincham 6-3 Macclesfield
- Altrincham 2-3 Atherton LR
- Altrincham 0-1 Stockton Town
- Altrincham 2-3 Penrith
- Altrincham 0-1 Portland United
Altrincham also competed in the Premier Division of the Cheshire Women’s and Youth Football League for the 2024/25 season and currently sit 15th in the Enterprise National League standings.
Captain Nat Lowe Reflects on the Journey
Club captain Nat Lowe, who scored the decisive goal in the previous round to send Altrincham into this stage, spoke to Her Game Her Way about the magnitude of the moment.
On the FA Cup run so far:
“It has been incredible. It’s surpassed our expectations; we never anticipated being in this situation. We had to put on some very strong performances, and we’ve had fun. All we’re going to do this weekend is make the most of it, have fun, and give it our all.”
On preparations for Sunday:
“The preparations have been excellent. Although we only lost 1-0 to Manchester Laces last weekend, it was a close game. We’ve been performing well in the league, and I believe we’ve gotten beater every week. I’m feeling happy, and I believe the other girls are too.”
On what the FA Cup means to her:
“This is the kind of thing I would have dreamed of as a child…it’s a unique opportunity to live this out. I don’t feel any pressure; I’m simply going to have fun. The most important thing is that we can win, and scoring again would the cherry on top.”
On the significance of reaching the actual fourth round:
“To get to the actual fourth round would be enormous. No sixth-tier team has ever advanced that far. With so many elite teams at that stage, it’s a huge challenge. If we can be that club, and it gives us a boost for years to come, that would be fantastic.”
On why she returned to football through Altrincham:
“They were my local team…I saw on social media that they had a women’s team, so I sent a message. Everyone was so kind and easy to secle with. I’d been away from the game for almost 20 years, but after a few sessions, I knew this was what I wanted to do. I’ve now played three full seasons.”
On returning after a career in professional golf:
“I missed football completely. When the Lionesses won their first EUROs, I realised how much I missed the team spirit. Golf is solitary…football isn’t like that. Coming to Altrincham and making new friends meant everything.”
Head of Women’s Football Duncan Jones Shares His Pride
Duncan Jones, whose daughters Ashley and Elise now both feature for the First Team and will make their FA Cup debuts, spoke about the team’s achievements.
On the Cup run:
“It has been incredible to defeat this team and win so many games in a row. You can’t have a terrible day when you’re on a Cup run.”
On what reaching the actual fourth round would mean:
“There are 160 teams in our tier, and we are the last one standing. We are only the third team in history to do that, and no one has ever reached the fourth round. That would be incredible history- and to accomplish that with my two daughters would be unbelievable.”
Manager Daryll Abrahams Praises Tenacity and Growth
Manager Daryll Abrahams highlighted how far the squad has come since last season’s early exit.
On the run so far:
“It’s the first time in our history that we’ve advanced to the third-round qualifying, let alone the actual third round. Last season we lost to Macclesfield in the first-round qualifying, so winning 6-3 this season felt like revenge. We’ve simply been willing to prove people wrong every round.”
On his favourite goal:
“Nat Lowe’s last-minute goal has to be our favourite. For the captain to win the ball back herself, gamble, and strike it into the top corner-it was incredible.”
On preparations:
“We’ve recently played the top sides in our league and tough League Cup matches. Even losing 1-0 this weekend showed us what we needed to improve. Preparations have been excellent- now let’s be strong and defeat York City on Sunday.”
On managing an FA Cup campaign:
“I’m really proud to be in charge of this side. Pride has always been our word. Football brings highs and lows, but the highs are worth everything. When we eventually look back, the girls will be incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished.”
On the possibility of reaching the fourth round:
“It would mean everything. Many of our young players were let go by academies and told they weren’t good enough. Being able to say they reached the first, second, third, and potentially fourth rounds-possibly against a WSL team- would prove everyone wrong. It’s a fairy tale for a Tier 6 club.”
A Historic Sunday Awaits
As Altrincham Women FC prepare to host York City Ladies, the club stands on the brink of making women’s football history. With passion, belief, and community behind them, Sunday’s match could mark one of the most extraordinary achievements ever seen from a sixth-tier side in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
Her Game Her Way’s presence at Tuesday’s training session captured the emotion, pride, and determination driving this remarkable team- one that aims to continue defying the odds.