History is made for Tonbridge Angels on Sunday as we play our first ever match in the Adobe FA Women's Cup against South London WFC.

The team won promotion by coming second in the league, and as a result are eligible to enter at the first qualifying round stage. We would need to win three games to reach the first round, and there's good money to be won too with increased prize money from the FA this year right from the start of the competition. Winners at this stage take home £1,800 plus a minimum £750 for playing in the second qualifying round. Even if we were to be beaten, losing teams take home £450.

Captain Lucy Harrington said: "I've played football for a long time and I've never played in the FA Cup. It's exciting for the older players as well as the younger ones. As a team we're ready to go, we're very excited for it and we can't wait."

Last year Tonbridge beat clubs from higher divisions to win the league cup, including Margate in the final, and Lucy says we can take some of that into the game on Sunday:

"I'd like to think so. With the signings we've made we've got potential. It would be amazing to go on a cup run for the club and for us as individuals. Anything can happen in the FA Cup!"

Manager Joe Rowe is equally excited, and is thrilled to have a game like this to start the season.

He told us: "If we can even win one game it would make a big difference. To be in the FA Cup you have to be at the top division at county level. We wanted to play in the FA Cup so that was a motivation to get promoted. I'd love a cup run, we don't know anything about the opposition yet, I would think they'll be as excited as we are. I'm sure it'll be a competitive game and we'll be giving everything we can."  

Amongst the new players is Hope Mumford, the former Crystal Palace reserve captain who has just graduated from Loughborough University. A local player, Hope said: "The FA Cup is such a cup for underdogs. I see no reason why we can't win a couple of games and get everyone behind us. I back us. It's a great game to start our season.

"The team has been super lovely, very welcoming. I've been playing football my whole life, and I'm now back from university. I live in Tonbridge and after the season last year it's the obvious option. It's an exciting club to be a part of."  

Seven days after the FA Cup tie we begin our first season in the South East Counties Kent Premier Division with our first game a renewal of the rivalry with the other team who came up, Cray Wanderers.

Joe Rowe added: "It's felt like a very long pre-season, six weeks or so with training and friendlies. We've had some good recruitment. We were very pleased to get that promotion spot. We're hoping to be competitive in this league, and compete in every game. Some of our players, look where they started to what they are now. They started as good footballers. They're now fantastic footballers. We're a young team but it's good to watch them develop as people and as players."

Kick off for the Adobe Women's FA Cup match against South London is at 2.30pm.