Everton v Leeds United
The FA Women's Cup Sponsored by E.ON
Semi-Final
3pm, Sunday 16 March 2008
Haig Avenue, Southport FC
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After scoring a hat-trick to fire Leeds United into the Semi-Finals, Steph Houghton is determined to help Leeds United make it to their third final in as many seasons.

Having reached The FA Women's Cup Final in 2006 and The FA Women's Premier League Cup Final last season, both times losing out to Arsenal, Leeds have developed a reputation as a fine Cup team and Houghton says they want to be at the City Ground in May.

"I've talked to the girls who have played in Cup Finals in recent years and they have said it's amazing," Houghton admitted.

"It's the reason I moved to Leeds, they have a reputation of getting to Finals and hopefully with a bit of luck we could win a trophy soon.

"Our main hope of winning something this season has to be this competition because it's very unlikely that we could win the League, so the Cup is our priority.

"Everton are very similar to us, we're both based on young players who are gaining experience with big games like this one."

Houghton is modest when asked about her hat-trick in the previous round, which helped Leeds to an away day 5-1 win over Cardiff City.

"I was a bit surprised to be honest, but it was just nice to be able to get through to the Semis," Houghton said.

"We've had a few tough games early on against Chelsea and Bristol, so I think we have deserved to get as far as we have and now we just want to get to the Final.

"We had penalty shootouts in the first two rounds, but we got through them, and I think in both games we were the team that deserved to get through."

With the opponents Everton having secured The FA Women's Premier League Cup last month with a win over Arsenal, Houghton is sure they will be filled with confidence ahead of this Semi-Final.

"They are going to be more confident but any Everton team you play is going to be tough to beat," Houghton reflected. "We'll prepare as we normally do and stick to our gameplan and go for the win."

One of the more familiar names on the Everton team sheet will be former Sunderland teammate Jill Scott, but Houghton says that there has been little banter ahead of the clash.

"I've not spoken to Jill about it, I don't think anyone wants to say anything before the game. It'll be a great game playing against Jill and afterwards we can talk about it."