'Anything can happen' - Sunderland eye cup shock against Man Utd

Amy Goddard says Sunderland are "excited" to face holders Manchester United

Sunderland are up against the odds, but they are still dreaming.

They are the only team from outside the top flight who remain in the Women's FA Cup and face the in-form holders Manchester United away from home.

But their ambition for Saturday's quarter-final (17:15 GMT kick-off) is simple - to upset the odds and reach the last four.

"In an FA Cup game, anything can happen," defender Amy Goddard says. "We're going to go there and hopefully put in a performance.

"We're not going to go there and expect to lose - we're going to go there and expect to win and that's the mindset that we've got to have."

While this season has not gone as planned for Sunderland in the Women's Championship - they are sixth in the second tier, eight points off the top - their cup run presents a "very exciting" cause for celebration.

'We want to play against this level every week'

Like some of her team-mates, 26-year-old Goddard has top-flight experience.

She has featured in the Women's Super League for Yeovil Town and has even faced United in this competition before when she was at Bridgwater United - something she says gives her hope for Sunderland's chances.

"We only lost 2-0 so I think in terms of that and the strength of the team that we've got now is completely different, so we can definitely put on a good performance and show them what we're about," she adds.

She is not the only person who will be familiar with United - manager Melanie Reay has recently been completing her Uefa Pro Licence course alongside Red Devils boss Marc Skinner.

Reay told BBC Radio Newcastle: "We've had a lot of banter over the last 48 hours! They're going to take the game seriously as I would expect.

"We've got full respect for each other so I am expecting a very strong Manchester United team on Saturday night."

Sunderland will be without top scorer Eleanor Dale on Saturday, who was ruled out after injuring her knee last month.

However, the Black Cats head into the cup fixture in a positive mood after winning a local derby against title challengers Durham last weekend.

United may be in the division above - but Saturday's cup game isn't a total mismatch. Sunderland, like many other second-tier outfits, are now fully professional and finished just five points shy of promotion last year.

The Women's Championship is rapidly becoming more professional - Goddard's side train four days a week as well as competing in their games at the weekend.

They will relish the opportunity against United, but are not just viewing it as a big day out. Goddard says Sunderland want to feature in high-profile fixtures more regularly in the future.

"You've got to play to the occasion but it's not just about that. As a group we all want to be playing against that kind of level week-in, week-out," she says.

'They live and breathe football in the north east'

Victories over Portsmouth, Exeter and Huddersfield have got Sunderland to this stage, winning £169,000 in prize money in the process.

Another £90,000 is up for grabs for the winner on Saturday, while a defeat would net the losing side a further £22,000.

Recent increases in the total prize fund makes the FA Cup an important source of income for clubs - especially those further down the pyramid.

"I think as the game's growing, more of a financial boost is great for the club," says Goddard.

"In terms of the club point of view, regardless of whatever competition you're in, you want to win and when there is the financial part to it that's obviously a little bit more important."

While they are away from home at the weekend, Goddard says the Black Cats' vocal support will give them a boost.

Sunderland have benefited from strong attendances this term, especially when games have been played at the Stadium of Light - with 15,387 attending their league derby against Newcastle.

"I think in the north east, it's just different," she says. "They live and breathe football. That's important for us as players.

"When you play on a Sunday, they are the 12th player on the field and every time something goes right you can hear them.

"Every phase of attack, you can hear them cheering you on and calling out your name and I think that's really important for us as players."