Weston Ladies AFC manager Adams on her FA Cup memories and facing Frome Town

Having watched it on TV growing up, she would go on to play her first game in the competition at the age of 16 with Clevedon Town.

Adams has also played in the tournament with Weston, where she has been manager for the last two years after taking over from Stacie Morrissey, in the 2018/19 season.

Ahead of Sunday’s first qualifying round tie at Frome Town, Adams shared her thoughts with Weston Mercury Sport on the transition of player to manager, opponents Frome and just how special the competition is.

One of Adams’ first memories of the competition is travelling to Cornwall in the pouring rain for her first ever FA Cup game.

Despite the weather she said “everyone had a smile on their face” because there was a “different energy and buzz” on match days.

The same excitement will be apparent when she walks out onto the pitch at Badgers Hill this weekend.

Altogether there will be 439 clubs entering this year’s FA Cup and Adams said everyone will be feeling the same thing and it is no different for her whether as a player or manager.

Sarah Adams has played in the FA Cup for Weston Ladies and Clevedon Town. (Image: Ade Threaser/WsMAFC)

“There’s always a sense of occasion in FA Cup games where the players feel they are part of something massive in this country,” she said.

“I can remember being 16 and selected for my first FA Cup fixture and the pride you get from being part of it is unrivalled, certainly at our level of football.

“It's just as exciting managing an FA Cup game as playing in one.

“I think I probably feel more nervous energy now as a manager than I ever did as a player because I could affect what happened on the pitch as a player. I can't always do that from the sidelines, I can just prepare the team as best we can before the game.”

Last September saw Adams take charge of her first match in the FA Cup for the Seagulls at Gloucester Women.

Goals from Phoebe Payton and Ellie Burrows looked to have given Adams’ side a draw but a late winner from the hosts dumped Weston out of the cup.

But Adams says her side are in a “much better place” since then and want to put the disappointment of that loss behind them, which will spur them on when they take on Frome this weekend.

Ahead of her second FA Cup game in charge, Adams said there is no reason why her team cannot come away victorious and everyone is looking forward to it.

“We can't wait,” she added.

“Our journey was cut short far too early last year after a poor performance saw us bow out in the early stages so the girls are dying to put that right this year and hopefully win, but most importantly perform well.

“It probably came a little bit too soon for us last year, being such a new squad we weren't prepared.

“I think we are in a much better place this time round, we've had a whole season together and grown as a squad.”

Manager Sarah Adams will take charge of her second FA Cup game in charge of the Seagulls at Frome Town. (Image: Ade Threaser/WsMAFC)

The last time the two sides met was in July for a pre-season friendly.

Frome ran out 3-1 winners on that occasion but Adams says the FA Cup is a competition where you get the unexpected and anything can happen.

And she added that is what makes the tournament distinctive and one which is cherished and treasured.

She said: “I think it is that unique nature of cup football where anyone can beat anyone. The rule book about standard and leagues can get completely ripped up and every team goes in to the game believing they can win.

“(There is) nothing unachievable in the FA Cup and we've been fortunate to be drawn against a side that play at the same level as us, so we have be confident and perform on the day. If we do that then there's no reason we shouldn't progress,” she added.

“They've always been a strong side with a great history. Many of our squad are very used to coming up against Frome and its always a great game to be involved in.

“I predict that it will be a tight contest and if we can remain focused for the 90 I'm hopeful we'll be able nudge ahead and keep it that way.”