This Sunday, the Adobe Women’s FA Cup continues as Southampton Women welcome Steyning Town in the Second Qualifying Round. Few clubs can boast such a proud history in the competition—only Arsenal have lifted the trophy more times than the Sirens, who claimed it on eight occasions during the 1970s.
The last two years have been challenging for Southampton, culminating in relegation from the National League Division One and a drop into the fifth tier of the women’s football pyramid. But inside the club, there is a renewed sense of optimism, with players and staff united in their determination to return to the fourth tier and build a brighter future.
Ahead of this weekend’s tie, I sat down with one of the club’s brightest young talents, 20-year-old striker Eliška Lynn, to talk about inspiration, resilience, and what this FA Cup journey means for the Sirens.
The forward has been described as leading the line with determination. She draws inspiration from one of the game’s greats, Lucy Bronze, describing her as “An amazing player and leader, but her attitude on the pitch to never give up and always put 100% into everything is truly inspiring.”
When asked to describe her own style, she didn’t hesitate: “I would describe myself as a hard-working player who likes to get on the ball. I like chasing balls in behind the back line, and dropping in to receive the ball to create other options of play within the game. I would say my main strength is my strength and determination—I strive to always work my hardest and don’t back down from any challenges I come up against.”
Her move from AFC Bournemouth’s Development side into a senior National League team came with challenges and relegation. “When joining the Sirens, I was excited to get some experience in the national league. Although it was a step up from the reserve side, I believed I was ready for the challenge. The season was tough, no one wanted to be in that position, but we stuck together and knew we had to give it our best shot.
Adding, “Despite the challenging season, I believe I improved as a player and adapted well to the physical and mental demands of that level of football.”
The transformation at the club since then has been dramatic. “I remember last preseason when there were only five of us at regular training sessions,” she recalled. “If you compare that to now with a much stronger squad of over 20 players, it’s an amazing improvement. A lot of the credit to keeping the team going undoubtedly goes to Aaron Smith and his team. If Aaron hadn’t stepped in as chairman right before the season began, I don’t know what the outcome of the team would’ve been.”
With a new manager, Gav Calder, and First Team Coach, Craig Parker, the squad is buzzing. “This season looks and already feels exciting! We have a lot of new, talented players that have joined the squad and definitely made an impact. Gav and Craig have made a positive impact within the squad and coaching staff.”
That sense of optimism is front and centre as the Sirens prepare for their FA Cup tie with Steyning Town. “Absolutely, I think there is a positive buzz around the whole squad and we are excited to see what we can do as a team within league and cup fixtures this season. Both the coaching staff and players all have the same desires for this season—how we play and what we want to conquer. I believe with what we know we want to do this season, we can definitely go into the game with a lot more confidence and determination than last season.”
Steyning Town will bring their own test. “From what we know, Steyning are a Tier 6 side that have had a good start to their season already, playing four games so far and only losing one. We know how we want to play and ultimately what we want the outcome to be. Every week we want to improve and build on our last performance. There are expectations of how staff want us to play and we know we need to fulfil that and stick to our game plan to be successful.”
And playing at home gives Southampton a lift. “I love a home game in front of our supporters. We get more of a crowd as it’s easier for our friends and families to come and support us. My Dad comes to every one of my games and always has done—he is a big supporter of mine and definitely one the girls look out for on a match day.”
The No.9 is also quick to praise her teammates, particularly goalkeeper Leah Etheridge. “Leah has definitely made a positive impact upon her return to the club. She is a great player and reads the game very well from the back, not to mention she’s an amazing shot-stopper. It’s great to have her back with the club!”
The build-up in training this week has reflected the team’s hunger. “It was evident to see that the girls are looking forward to it—after all, it is an FA Cup game. Everyone looks sharp and ready for the game. Myself, I am determined to get the win! After going out of the FA Cup in our first game of the competition last season, it’s time to redeem ourselves and see how far we can get.”
For her, the FA Cup also carries a deeper meaning. “The club’s amazing history in the competition is truly inspiring. We have had former players visit and the stories they share are remarkable. I think as a team we know that the team has a tremendous past in the competition and now we must show that we are ready to get as far in the cup as we possibly can.”
Still, she knows the league remains the main objective. “With the club’s recent relegation, it gave us time to regroup, reset, and set our standards for this season. We know that we are working extremely hard to get ourselves back into the national league and that it is our main priority. However, we also want to do our very best in the FA Cup. Our main priority is to win the league this season and bounce back into Tier Four. As we work hard in order to get ourselves in the best possible position for promotion, I believe that it will also put us in the right direction for a positive FA Cup run.”
For a young striker inspired by Lucy Bronze’s relentlessness, those words say it all: determined, focused, and ready to fight for both league glory and a memorable FA Cup run.
