Jane Ross knows what it takes to win big football matches.
West Ham United’s top goalscorer this campaign has previously won the FA WSL, and the SSE Women’s FA Cup, helping Saturday’s opponents Manchester City to the championships two years ago.
The Scottish international is gearing up for this weekend’s first outing at Wembley Stadium in a major final and knows just how important self-assurance will be for her and her teammates.
The Irons come up against a Manchester City side that have not lost a domestic match all season, but Ross says West Ham have the quality to inflict that first defeat on Saturday.
It’s 90 minutes, in the FA Cup Final, and anything can happen. We just have to have confidence and believe in ourselves.
Jane Ross
“It’s going to be a tough game,” Ross said. “We’ve played Man City twice this season, so the girls have plenty of experience of them as a team.
“We definitely competed with them the second time round. We competed in the first game although the score-line reflects a different story.
“I think, going by their position in the league, Man City are probably the favourites for the match. But it’s 90 minutes, in the FA Cup Final, and anything can happen.
“It’s a one-off game, and we are definitely up for it. We just have to have confidence and believe in ourselves.”
As one of West Ham’s most experienced players, Ross knows that some of the younger talents may look to her for guidance heading into the FA Cup Final.
The striker says it is important for the Irons to enjoy and take in the occasion, but ensure they are fully focused on the job at hand if they are to bring the FA Cup back to Rush Green Stadium.
She added: “We’ve been preparing in the same way we have prepared for every game this season. I think there’s a few in our team that haven’t played in a game of this size before, so I’d advise them to relax, enjoy the occasion.
“It’s going to be a massive game for us and there will be a large crowd there too. But take the game for what it is and enjoy it."