Promotion-chasing Luton Town Ladies are aiming to lift their first silverware of the season in tonight’s Bedfordshire Women’s Senior Cup Final at Kenilworth Road but always knew they might have to topple unbeaten Real Bedford to do it.
The two teams were rivals in the Eastern Region Women’s Football League Premier Division last season, but the Pirates from the north of the county pipped the Hatters to the league title and promotion to the FA Women’s National League Division One.
There the Bitcoin-backed club have risen straight to the top of the pile again without losing a game this term and are on course for another promotion, having only lost three times since the beginning of the 2023/24 season.
However, one of those was against the Hatters, who enter the county showpiece on the back of nine straight victories, including last weekend’s 3-1 derby triumph over Watford.
Hatters joint manager Fadi Mazloum said: “We know what Bedford’s qualities are. We know where they are in the league but, we want to go up and we want to be competing against these teams.
“We’ll go out and give a good account of ourselves and see how the day goes. We’re looking forward to it.”
The other half of the Hatters managerial duo, Myles Maddix, told the Ladies new YouTube channel: “A cup final is very, very important for us. We’ve set our targets for the season and we wanted to be in the county cup final and we’re there.
“When we looked at the competition for the end of the season we knew Real Bedford was a possibility for the final. Playing in the final hasn’t come as a surprise for us.”
He added: “The girls are ready for it. We’re ready for it. We just want everyone to be there and for our fans to come down and support.
“It’s a big occasion for us as a club, in terms of our youth teams and seeing us in the final and aspirations for the kids to look at it.
“A final at Kenilworth Road is an amazing achievement and that’s how we wanted it, so we’re really looking forward to it.”
Experienced Luton centre back Elly Wade is looking forward to playing at Kenilworth Road and told the club’s LTFC+ channel: “We’re buzzing. We can’t wait. A little bit of nerves but mostly excitement to play here.
“It is the 12th man and it just makes you feel so great when you can hear them on the sideline and it really spurs you on, especially for a tough game.?
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