Women's National League Cup: Hashtag in 'shock' over Newcastle United final
- Published
Sammy Rowland scored 20 goals in 11 games for AFC Acorns in 2021-22 before joining Hashtag United
Hashtag United are "in a state of shock" after getting through to the Women's National League Cup final in which they will face Newcastle United.
Striker Sammy Rowland scored both goals as they beat Halifax Women 2-0 at Liversedge FC in the semi-finals.
The final will take place on 23 March in the very different surroundings of Kenilworth Road, home of Premier League club Luton Town.
"We'll be privileged to be part of it," Rowland told BBC Sport.
"They are just a huge club and, although their women's team is just getting started, they are going to bring a really big crowd with them.
"We barely get 100 at our home games but they had 22,000 at St James' Park at the weekend. I think some of their fans are going to be upset because Luton only holds about 10,000."
Although it appears to be the women's equivalent of a David v Goliath match-up, both teams in fact play at the same level.
Newcastle is one of the most iconic names in English football and their women's side are nine points clear at the top of National League Northern Premier Division, while Hashtag are second in the Southern Premier, having won the South East Division One title last season.
Rowland scored over 30 goals in all competitions in 2022-23 but admits they have been harder to come by this term at a higher level - and so far in the league has nine in 19 appearances.
"I've been slacking a bit," the 29-year-old joked, although admitting that alopecia caused by stress has been affecting her form.
"My first (against Halifax) came early - the pitch was awful and there was talk about it being cancelled until about 10 minutes before kick-off. It was just a case of first touch, shoot.
"The second came from a ball by Emma (Samways). I beat one girl and aimed for the bottom corner."
So, how have Hashtag - who are based in Aveley, Essex - adapted so well to life at Southern Premier level?
Rowland said: "We played five of the top teams at the start of the season and won them all so that gave us a head start - I think everyone underestimated us.
"We have lots of new players signed from different levels but they are all a really good fit for the team."
Newcastle beat Portsmouth 2-1 in the other semi-final, thanks to a 90th-minute header by Georgia Gibson at St James' Park's Gallowgate End.
"We approached the game really well. Obviously, with 20,000 plus fans here, it's very easy to get ahead of yourselves and nerves kick in at the very start but we tried to stay calm and composed and keep control of the game," Gibson told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"I know they got the (opening) goal back but we also felt we were going to push and get the second."
Newcastle will be favourites in the final with the majority of the crowd behind them but Hashtag are undaunted.
"We didn't expect to be in this position at the start of the season, our main aim was just to stay up in step three, so we are over the moon," added Rowland, who won the Golden Boot scoring award in last season's Women's FA Cup.
"For me personally, and as a club, it will be the biggest game in Hashtag's history."