Bristol Rovers Women are on the brink of a historic moment this Thursday as they prepare to compete in the Gloucestershire County Cup final for the very first time. The Gas Girls will take on Forest Green Women at Oaklands Park Stadium, with the opportunity to secure the club’s first piece of silverware in the Women’s National League era.
Rovers booked their place in the final with a 4-2 victory over Gloucester City Women in the semi‑final and head into the occasion sitting fourth in the FAWNL Division One South West during just their second season at tier four of the women’s football pyramid.
Bristol Live visited The Quarters Training Facility to catch up with manager Nathan Hallett‑Young, along with defenders Layah Douglas and Thierry‑Jo Gauvain, as preparations reached their final stages.
Speaking about the upcoming final, he said: "Yeah, I think the best thing about it is obviously it's a trophy that we've not won before. I think it's one that's been kind of elusive from our trophy cabinet.
"So it'd be nice for us to get a bit of silverware, a) for this season, b) something that we haven't won before. Going into the first couple of seasons, we were in a position where we fell short, and then it went away for the sides that are step five and above.
"But yeah, no, it's good for us to be in the competition. Good for us to be in the final. I think this season's been challenging, and to come out at the end of it with a bit of silverware would be lovely."
While both Gauvain and Douglas described this season as "difficult," they are both optimistic that the campaign can end on a high note with silverware.
"Yeah, I've enjoyed the season, I think it's been difficult for a lot of it," Douglas said. "I think we've come short with some results and probably not done as well as internally we would have liked to, even though it’s only our second time in this league.
"But I think to reach the County Cup final is a big milestone for us and an opportunity for us to get some silverware, so I'm not going to complain too much - fourth is still a good position, despite whether we want to be there or not."
Speaking about the difficulty of balancing a full-time job, alongside training and matchday preparation, Gauvain said: "It is a struggle for many players in this group, we've got people who are pharmacists, teachers, full-time jobs, people studying at uni.
"Yeah, so it is hard to get that right balance and sometimes we’re going straight from work training, haven’t eaten properly, but it's about our recovery. We have the ice bath and sauna facilities at the training ground, which we can maximise.
"So yeah, it's just about dealing with the obstacles that are from in our career, and then coming to football and just full focus on that just for the small time we are here. But yeah, it would be great if we could be full-time, but unfortunately, that's not the case."
Douglas added: "Yeah, I mean, despite us not being full-time, I think every player has been really committed, like literally every single player we've had over the last few years, I can't fault any of them for their commitment and I think even though we're not full-time, I think the volunteers that we have and the staff that we have try their best to give us that full-time and professionalism to an extent.
"And I think all the players are very professional with that as well. It's difficult to balance like, I myself, I'm working a job and have my own separate business on the side. So it's difficult to kind of manage all three at once, but I think we're all professional enough to try and do our best and we're all committed enough to the club and enjoy it enough here to do that."
Thursday's opponents play in the South West Women’s Football League Premier Division, which is a step below Rovers. In 14 league games, they have won 10, drawn three, and lost only once. They sit eight points behind the league leaders, Torquay United, with a game in hand, but their title hopes faded on April 12, when they lost 4-1 to the Gulls at home.
To finish the interview, they asked Douglas, Gauvain, and Hallett-Young why Gasheads should come and watch the game on Thursday. Firstly, Douglas said: "They’ll see some great football and hopefully us lift a trophy."
Gauvain added: "Yeah, silverware, I think, a good game of football, and yeah, a chance to watch Bristol Rovers Women just really do well in this cup final."
"But an opportunity for Bristol Rovers to win silverware, as any Gashead would be in position, why wouldn't you be there?"
Fans can buy tickets on the day, with prices as follows:
- Adults: £5
- Children: Free