Birmingham City: Championship Side Eye Women’s FA Cup semi-final amid rebuild after WSL relegation

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With a goal from Jade Pennock (centre) in the 61st minute, Birmingham beat WSL club Everton in the FA Cup

There have been few surprises this season in the Women’s FA Cup. Only one WSL team has been KO’d by a team from a lower division.

That came as Birmingham City beat Everton in the fourth round – and Darren Carter’s team will be looking to repeat the trick on Sunday when they welcome Brighton in the quarter-finals.

“We can take great confidence from our performance in this game,” Carter told ` Sport.

“They were a form team and we executed our game very well, stopping them and capitalizing on the moments we had.

“If you can show that against good teams, it means you know you can get to that level. If we can do that, we have a chance.”

Jade Pennock scored the winner against Everton in late January and said the result made Birmingham believe they can reach the last four.

“It was tremendous for us,” she said. “It will give us confidence knowing we are capable. Whatever the opposition, we have a chance.”

An FA Cup run has given Birmingham a welcome boost after a difficult few seasons. The low point was relegation last season after eleven years in the WSL, of which you were a founding member.

Players publicly protested problems related to facilities and resources, while a lack of investment and board support led to three leadership changes in 12 months.

In the last managerial change, former Birmingham midfielder Carter was hired in December 2021, first as a caretaker and then on a full-time basis.

Carter was retained after relegation and has acknowledged it will take a lot of work to return to WSL.

“Our Achilles heel was consistency”

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Darren Carter played for Birmingham and West Brom in the Premier League

“I could see there was a lot that needed changing, there was a narrative around the team, a lot of negativity,” Carter said.

“The descent made some people realize a rebuild was needed. Once I got the green light to continue, it was about taking the team back to the successes of previous seasons.

“Women’s football is growing, so we have to keep up with the times.”

Several players, like Pennock, were convinced to stay and fight to bring Birmingham back to the top, while others like Wales international Charlie Estcourt were signed to reinforce the squad.

Estcourt told ` Sport: “We all know it’s a rebuilding year to put us in the best position for promotion.

“The requirements are different, so it’s a learning curve for next season. We can aim for promotion next season as it’s out of our hands now this year.

“The FA Cup has given us a lot of confidence as a team, it shows what we can achieve if we find consistency.”

A lack of consistency has dashed Birmingham’s hopes of an immediate return to the top flight. Eight league wins have been diluted by five losses, leaving them 13 points adrift of leaders Bristol City and the only promotion spot in the Championship with seven games remaining.

“Our Achilles’ heel has been consistency,” Carter added. “We have put in some excellent performances but left a lot to do in the league.

“We grew as a team this year and learned a lot. We had a lot of possession, which we didn’t do in WSL, but that brings teething problems.

“It’s a process and you have to suffer a bit, but we’ve grown.”

‘I’ve never won both at the same time!’

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Charlie Estcourt was signed by Carter last summer when Birmingham tried to return to WSL

The FA Cup has given Birmingham something of a salve as they look to repeat the exploits of 2012 when they beat Chelsea on penalties in the final at Ashton Gate.

Details of this game are a clear reminder of how women’s football was treated until recently. Broadcaster Sky Sports moved the penalty shootout to its Red Button service so as not to disrupt scheduled programming, while half-time entertainment featured The Risk, a boy band who finished 10th in the most recent series of The X Factor became.

However, there are some links to this game that Birmingham appreciates very much. Jo Potter, a key player on the Cup-winning side, is now Carter’s assistant manager.

“She’s someone who was there, did that, got that shirt,” Carter said of his number two.

“Having Jo there when she speaks the players listen, she has their utmost respect.

“She shared memories of the day and the lasting memories it gives. Players can see through them how special it was.”

Estcourt agrees that Potter provides extra motivation.

“This club has history in the FA Cup, we are aware of that past success, that gives us extra motivation,” said Estcourt.

“It’s great to have her [Potter] and their experience to learn from when dealing with bigger games.”

If the current generation is looking for Birmingham heroes they may well look to Pennock, who was named Friday’s Championship Player of the Month and also March’s Goal of the Month winner.

“I’ve never won both at the same time!” She said. “It boosts my confidence, I just want to help the team the best I can.

“At the beginning of the season we set ourselves goals that we wanted to achieve. Going far in the FA Cup is one of them.”