EXCLUSIVE: Helen Bleazard and Jenna Markham as AFC Bournemouth aim for giantkilling feat against Manchester City in Women’s FA Cup | OneFootball

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 13: during the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Trophy Visit at Bournemouth FC Training Ground on January 13, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Michael Steele – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Helen Bleazard is halfway through her first full season in first-team management with AFC Bournemouth, and it’s going well so far.

“The girls are making me look good, so I can’t take all the credit,” she smiles to SheKicks.net.

Bleazard’s side are top of the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier, unbeaten with nine wins and three draws to their credit.

And this weekend, in the fourth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, they come up against one of the country’s other form teams – Women’s Super League leaders Manchester City.

“It’s probably one of the first games since our previous FA Cup game last year [when they were knocked out by Ipswich Town] where we’ve been the underdogs,” says Bleazard. “We’re realistic with the quality that they have, but also the quality that’s been within our squad, and we’ve done our homework as a staff and with our analysis, and we’ve just had our first meeting with the girls on how we want to set up.

“We’ll do everything we can to get them in a position to be as aggressive and ready to go and try and win the game on Sunday.”

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 13: AFC Bournemouth players during a training session during the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Trophy Visit at Bournemouth FC Training Ground on January 13, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Michael Steele – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Of course, with a squad as deep and as talented as City’s, it’s difficult for anyone to second-guess what team they might put out as they enter the FA Cup.

“They may rest players, they may go all out and do their starting line-up like they usually do,” admits Bleazard.

“It’s the magic of the FA Cup and if we set them up in the right way and execute our game plan, there’s no reason why we can’t be successful.”

Jenna Markham: It’ll be a privilege

Striker Jenna Markham says the squad are excited to be facing the best team in the land – and she’s particularly thrilled at the prospect of sharing a pitch with Vivianne Miedema and Bunny Shaw. 

There has been plenty of talk about the venue for this clash, with a big crowd always anticipated. AFC Bournemouth’s main home of the Vitality Stadium was ruled out early on, but so was the women’s team’s regular base of Ringwood. Instead, the fixture will be played at Totton, with a capacity of 3,500.

“We’ve all got all of our families coming to watch,” Markham reveals. “To share such an amazing opportunity with them, it’s going to be really special. I think in a small stadium, the noise will bounce around more as well, so we will have the majority of the support in the crowd. It will be really important for the fans. to help us cheer us on and keep us going with what will be a really hard match.”

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 13: The FA Cup on display as players of AFC Bournemouth train during the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Trophy Visit at Bournemouth FC Training Ground on January 13, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Michael Steele – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

And Bleazard is focused on the positives, pointing out the support the club is consistently giving to the women’s set-up.

“We always knew with the draw and the nature of the round that it was never going to be able to be played at Ringwood. The club have looked at the scenario and the next best option was Totton, and we completely accept that.

“Two years ago, [the venue] probably wouldn’t have been a talking point. Obviously with the nature of Man City, questions are going to be asked, but actually I just think for women’s football, the fact that teams are being talked about is such a huge positive because a few years ago it wouldn’t have even been a thing.

“We’re really, really excited to play at Totton. We’ve sold out within 24 hours – what an opportunity for the girls to be in a stadium where probably favours us a little bit better than Man City. We’re really looking forward to it.”

“There’s definitely going to be nerves,” says Markham. “Anyone that says they’re not nervous is probably lying. Playing against people that you watch play on TV week in, week out and a lot of role models for us all, yeah, that will be nice.

“But I think the main feeling, especially for me, is excitement. It’ll be a privilege to go and play on and share a pitch with some of the best players in the country.”

Helen Bleazard: AFC Bournemouth have big aspirations

AFC Bournemouth have been open about their ambitions to develop their women’s team, so playing against a team of the calibre of City will be the ideal yardstick to test their progress so far.

“When you look at the aspirations that the club has, but also the aspirations that our players [have] – our players want to be in full-time environments in WSL2 and WSL1, so what an opportunity to go and show what they can do and ultimately representing Bournemouth and what we want to do as a staff and as a club,” says Bleazard.

“And the investment that we’re getting, we’re only striving to want to push ourselves as a club to try and get into WSL 2 and WSL 1 – so what an opportunity to see where we are.”