Cambridge United’s preparations for this afternoon’s FA Women's National League Plate final may have been overshadowed by injuries, but manager Darren Marjoram is hopeful that it will help to galvanize the players at his disposal.
Already without a number of players for today’s showpiece clash against higher-league Derby County at Broadhurst Park in Manchester, in recent days the U’s have lost both Mayzee Seymour and Natasha Collins to ankle and knee complaints respectively.
However, Marjoram has challenged the players that do take to the pitch to bring back the silverware for their injured team-mates.
“Lots of things have been great about our preparations. Our training build up has been great, but we’re really short on players due to injuries,” said Marjoram.
“It feels a little bit like things have been against us, but that should spur us on. I’m gutted for people like Mayzee because she’s worked so hard to get back from an ankle injury to be fit, only to suffer an injury to the other ankle and it now looks like she’ll need surgery.
“As a group, we want to win for those players that can’t be on the pitch with us because we’re such a tight squad.”
Up against opposition that play one level higher, United will be the underdogs to triumph.
Marjoram is well aware of the threats that will be posed by Derby, yet he is also determined to see his side play to their strengths as they bid to end an already historic run in positive fashion.
He added: “I’ve watched them and some of the staff have watched them. It will be a tough test.
“They’ve got a lot of quality, they’re very athletic and have a lot of good movement.
“But while we have looked on them, our focus has to be on ourselves and what we can do. Yes, we’ll prepare the players for what they’re coming up against, but you can’t just look to stop them. We need to make sure we play to our strengths as well.”
