‘I just got a little bit of the tingle again!’

Another year, another Continental League Cup final for Joe Montemurro.

Our head coach has reached the final of the competition in all three of his seasons with the club - and it’s also where he secured his first piece of silverware in England, following a dramatic 1-0 win over Manchester City back in March 2018.

“It’s always a privilege to be in a cup final,” Montemurro said in his pre-match press conference. “From a personal note, it’s my third Conti Cup final since being here, and it was an enjoyable first trophy here too. Hopefully we have many more to come for the club and players.

“I just got a little bit of the tingle again! It’s my boyhood club. You do all the work to get there and lead your team out at a final, and I’m so proud to be associated with anything to do with this club, and especially these amazing athletes. They’re incredible and they represent the club in a way that I see on a day to day basis. It’s an absolute honour.

“We’re probably in a better situation (this season compared to last season) with regards to the lead up because we haven’t had as many games. The reality is that we’ve managed it and prepared it better in terms of load managements, minutes and tactical and technical preparation.

“Would I like more options off the bench? It wouldn’t be bad to have Beth Mead, Kim Little and Lia Walti… they’re not too bad, eh? But it is what it is and I have 100 per cent faith in the players we have out there. I trust the whole group we’ve got here.”