Macey Nicholls helped Hashtag United to silverware this weekend, as they beat Newcastle United to clinch the FA Women’s National League Cup at Kenilworth Road.
The 17-year-old signed dual-registration terms with the Tags at the start of the 2023/24 season and has excelled whilst with the Essex-based outfit.
Nicholls has made 20 appearances across the season, scoring six times for Jason Stephens’ team, and has so far helped them to second position in the Women’s National League Southern Premier Division.
Hashtag’s run to the final saw them beat Oxford United, Rugby Borough, London Bees and Halifax Town, setting up the tie with The Magpies, who are currently top of the Northern Premier Division.
Nicholls scored in the 19th minute of the game, volleying in with her left foot to bring the scoreline level, before Phoebe Williams scored the eventual winner with just under 20 minutes of normal time remaining.
Nicholls recounts how the game played out and gave her thoughts on helping the Tags to silverware.
“It was a fantastic feeling to help Hashtag win the trophy, Nicholls told whufc.com.
“Going into the game we were all really calm and whilst we knew that Newcastle are a good team, we were confident because of the togetherness we have as a squad. It was a really good feeling to get us back into the game by scoring. It came a couple of minutes after they scored.
SUPER MACE 🤩
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“We had to work really hard, and they were definitely knocking at the door towards the end, but I thought the way we fought as a team was really good and we were all delighted to come away with the trophy.”
“I think there was a little bit of disbelief about what we’d actually been able to achieve. Hashtag’s women’s team are still only a couple of years old, so it’s a really great achievement for the Club.”
Nicholls has really impressed this season with the team, and she herself has enjoyed her first experience of senior football.
She was also quick to heap praise on those at the Tags, who have helped her to settle into a new environment, as well as pushing her on to improve.
“Everyone has been really welcoming at Hashtag, as well as really encouraging. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls to have joined for my first taste of women’s football.
“It’s been a challenge for sure, stepping up from Academy football has been really different, but I feel like continuing to train here at West Ham as well has really helped with the transition. It’s a really good balance because I’m training with some of the best players here at West Ham, and then I’m with such a good group and playing to a really good standard week in, week out with Hashtag.
"I’ve been with West Ham since I was eleven years old, and I’ve got aspirations of playing in the first team, but I know there’s still a lot of developing I need to do before I can make that happen.
“I’m just so grateful for the opportunities that I’ve had this season, and I’m really looking forward to finishing the season and seeing what comes next. It's been such a great experience, and I’m really thankful to everyone for showing faith in me and helping me to develop this season.”
There’s still a chance for Nicholls and her teammates to grab more silverware before the season ends, with the team preparing to face Billericay Town in the Essex Senior Cup Final on 11 April.
Nicholls is excited about the teams’ prospects of lifting another trophy this season.
“We have another cup final coming up in a couple of weeks, and we’re all really focused on making sure that we come away with another trophy.
“We’re going really well in the league as well, and we want to make sure that we finish as high as we can and push Portsmouth all the way and keep the pressure on.
“We want to finish the season strongly and make sure we continue to build on the success that we have had,” Nicholls concluded.
Hashtag United Image Credit: Lucy Copsey
