EXCLUSIVE: Katie Astle as York City prepare to make history in Women’s FA Cup v Chatham Town | OneFootball

Katie Astle was the player of the third round in the Women’s FA Cup (Ian Parker/ICE Photography)

York City are all set for a long journey this weekend as they travel to face Chatham Town in the fourth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.

And Katie Astle – player of the round last time out – is looking forward to it.

The squad are travelling down the night before, staying in a hotel, enjoying some team bonding and preparing for their match.

“lt’s one of the first [overnight] away trips that I’ve had,” she tells SheKicks.net. “Because we’ve got such a young team, it’s such a special occasion for all of us. Everyone’s buzzing to get going.

“I know the coach drive down will be a long one, but everyone will be just so happy and positive and just ready and raring for the weekend.”

York City travel to Chatham Town this weekend in the fourth round (Ian Parker/ICE Photography)

It’s the first time York City have got as far as this in the FA Cup – and also the furthest Astle herself has been in the competition.

“The nerves aren’t there yet, but I think when we get closer to the time, I’ll get more nervous,” she admits.

Katie Astle: York City have a chance of making history again

They haven’t had ideal preparation for the match, though, with both their scheduled games after the winter break postponed because of poor weather. However, they have been training hard – and they’re buoyed by the support they’re getting in the city. Astle’s day job is with the football club’s foundation, and the youngsters she works with are thrilled for her.

“They just wish it was at home so they could come to the game!” she says.

York City are tenth in the fourth-tier FA Women’s National League Division One North, while Chatham Town are fourth in the Division One South-East. Doubtless both clubs might have secretly hoped to draw a WSL team and enjoy a big occasion and big gate receipts – but in this situation, they will be thinking they have a great chance to make it to the fifth round.

“There’s a side where you want to get one of the big teams, Arsenal and Chelsea, one of the Super League teams, and then the other side of it, if you don’t get one of them, you want to get a team that you can compete against – and obviously it’ll be a good game and we’ve got a chance of making history again,” says Astle.