17 February 2008
VIDEO: Lincoln City 3-2aet Blackburn Rovers

The Imps caused a major upset as Kerry Smith scores an extra-time winner over Blackburn Rovers.

The FA Women's Cup sponsored by E.ON
Sixth Round Proper
Sunday 24 February 2008
Click here for Sixth Round fixtures

As they prepare to entertain Leeds United in Sunday’s FA Women’s Cup Quarter Final, the Bluebirds are still bristling about the stoppage time they reckon should never have been in last season’s 2-1 defeat by Leeds in Round Five of The Cup.

"We were a goal up and deservedly so going into the 91st minute," recalled Manager Michelle Adams. "But although there had been no stoppages in the second half, the referee somehow found five minutes of added time.

"Both of the Leeds goals came in that time and it was devastating – even the Leeds people couldn’t understand where all the stoppage time had come from.

"It was really hard to take, but this year we’re a round further on and hopefully the luck will even itself out and we’ll go through to the Semi-Finals."

Adams will be hoping to have a fully fit team as well as a slice of luck after six of her players were in the Wales squad which in the last few days has lost 1-0 to both Belgium and Holland in tough Euro 2009 qualifiers.

The Cardiff boss knows that her team, who are second from bottom of the FA Tesco Women’s Premier League and have never beaten Leeds, will have to be at their very best to progress to the last four.

"It’s been a hard week for the girls on international duty," said Adams. "But there’s no question that they’ll be up for the game against Leeds.

"We’ve never beaten them but we’ve had some close games against them – and after the way we lost to them in The FA Cup last year we’re determined to put the record straight."

Despite having home advantage, Cardiff will be underdogs against a Leeds side looking to reach the final of a major knockout competition for the third time in successive seasons.

In Sunday’s other FA Cup Quarter Finals the ‘underdog’ tag will also be attached to Northern Division side Newcastle United as they entertain Everton, and to Birmingham City who visit holders Arsenal.

But Newcastle have already shown underdogs can come out on top by beating National Division team Watford in the Fifth Round.

And there was also a shock in the first of the Quarter Finals, Northern Division Lincoln City winning 3-2 after extra time against Blackburn Rovers last week.

Could there be more surprises in store? Favourites beware.