West Ham United begin their 2022 Vitality Women’s FA Cup campaign on Sunday afternoon, as they make the trip North to face Sheffield United.
The Hammers have reached the final of the competition in their first professional season, and that will be the aim for Olli Harder and his team this time around.
How to Watch
The game against the Blades isn’t being shown live on TV, so the only way to watch the match is by being there in person!
Tickets are priced at £5 adults and £3 concessions and tickets can be purchased on arrival at the stadium on Sunday.
Team News
West Ham United head coach Olli Harder will again be without a number of players due to injury and unavailability.
Canada international and Olympic Gold medalist Adriana Leon, who has undergone surgery on a fractured foot.
Maisy Barker is also still unavailable for selection due to the foot injury that she sustained in pre-season.
Harder will also be without Australia internationals Mackenzie Arnold and Tameka Yallop and Japan midfielder Yui Hasegawa, who are all away on international duty representing their countries at the AFC Women's Asia Cup in India.
Full team news will be released at 12pm on Sunday, an hour ahead of kick-off.
The Opposition
Sheffield United currently sit eighth in the FA Women’s Championship, the second tier of English football. The Blades are currently unbeaten in their last four matches, and drew 1-1 with Durham in their last outing.
Former Leeds United and Rotherham United manager Neil Redfearn is in charge at Bramall Lane, and has been since August 2020.
The club were founded in 2002 and last season, achieved a 4th placed finish in the Championship and reached the fifth round of the FA Cup last season. Redfearn’s team bowed out to Tottenham Hotspur, where it took extra time for Spurs to advance.
Ones to Watch
Lucy Watson: A left-footed forward who can play upfront or on the wing. Watson is an England U17 international who joined in February 2020 from Doncaster Belles. Watson will be the main goal threat for the Blades, having scored five goals in all competitions this season.
Courtney Sweetman-Kirk: An experienced forward with plenty of top division experience, the 31-year-old has played for the likes of Leicester City, Everton and Liverpool. Sweetman-Kirk has been part of Sky Sports’ live coverage this season and interviewed Olli Harder on the WSL Full-time show.
Kasia Lipka: A 28-year-old midfielder who recently made her 50th appearance for the club. Lipka joined the Blades from Sunderland in 2019 but spent the entirety of the season out injury.
Final reminder
West Ham United Women take on Sheffield United in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup fourth round at Bramall Lane.
Tickets are priced at £5 adults and £3 concessions and tickets can be purchased on arrival at the stadium on Sunday.