Wasps relish FA Cup clash against Chichester

Crawley Wasps manager Paul Walker SUS-180110-185416002

The West Sussex derby was one of 20 ties pulled out of the hat in Monday’s second-round draw, and pits two in-form teams together.

Wasps are top of the FA Women’s National League Division One South East, winning all 14 games in all competitions this season, including beating QPR Development 6-0 in the FA Cup first round on Sunday.

Chi, meanwhile, are top of the division above – the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier – and have lost just once this term. They reached the fifth round of the Cup last season, hosting Liverpool in front of a crowd of 1,300.

“They are one of the top sides in Sussex,” Walker said of Chichester.

“They’ve recruited really well in pre-season and that’s borne out by their league position.

“It’ll be a tough game for us but one the players are all looking forward to. I believe that, despite the gap in league status, we’ve got the squad to give them a game. It’ll be an exciting tie.”

Wasps have already beaten one of Chichester’s league rivals this season, winning 3-1 at Oxford United in the League Cup, and Walker says that will give his team confidence.

He said: “I believe the squad we have at Wasps could compete comfortably at that next level.

“That was demonstrated with the win at Oxford.”

The match will be played at Tinsley Lane, Oakwood FC, on Sunday, December 2.