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An interview with…

Rianne Bourne-Hallett  (Bristol Rovers)

Bristol Rovers will face the biggest match they have played since reforming five years ago, when they take

on Barclays WSL side Aston Villa in the Fourth Round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.

Rianne Bourne-Hallett has captained the team since she joined the club at the start of last season and we spoke to
the former St Nicholas and Swindon Town midfielder ahead of the game. She admitted that the team “cannot wait”
to take on WSL opponents in what is set to be a huge occasion:  

WSS:  How much are you and the team savouring the chance to take on a WSL side in the Cup this Sunday?

RBH: We cannot wait to face WSL opposition, it’s such a special opportunity and one that we will remember for a very

long time.

WSS: How about the prospect of potentially coming up against the likes of Rachel Daly, Jordan Nobbs and Lucy

Staniforth amongst others?

RBH: It’s amazing to think we could potentially be challenging ourselves against incredible players like that. We’ve worked so hard t get to this point so we deserve to be sharing the pitch with those kind of people.

WSS: You got to this stage with a superb win away to Oxford in the last round, which has been a little bit forgotten in the excitement of having drawn Villa. How good was the team's performance on that day, and was it perhaps destined for Daisy Ackerman to score twice against her old club?

RBH: The performance was one we will forever be proud of. We really showcased everything this club is about. Togetherness, passion, desire and teamwork. Every single player fought until the very end and that is something we are so good at doing. I feel like maybe it was destined for Daisy to score those two great goals.

WSS: The Oxford win was one of eight in a row for the team, so presumably confidence is very high amongst the squad at the moment?

BRH: Yes, the run of results have really allowed us to believe in our own ability and has filed us with well earned confidence.

WSS: Beating Abingdon United on Sunday means that you have caught up ground on the top sides in the league, Bournemouth might be a little difficult to catch but is runners-up a realistic target for you now?

RBH: Definitely. We have worked so hard to get to where we are now and we don’t want it to stop there. We have shown that we can compete at the top end of the table so there is no reason we shouldn’t keep aiming for the stars!

WSS: Sunday also saw another injury time winner, do you think there is any particular reason why you are scoring so many late goals in matches this season?

RBH: I think it’s credit to the work we put in throughout the week. We as players, coaches and club staff put in so much time and effort to give us the best chance at excelling on a match day and it’s paying off. This group has a never die attitude, we know we have the physical ability to keep going to the final whistle and now we have the mental strength and belief to never give up.

WSS: Are you exceeding your expectations at the start of the season or were you always confident that you could do well after promotion?

RBH: In all honesty, our initial goal before pre-season started was just to survive the season by obtaining safety from relegation so we’ve definitely exceed our initial expectations. They have now changed after finding our feet in this league so we will keep pushing to finish as high up the table as possible.

WSS: Another huge bonus from the Cup run is the prize money you have been picking up, that is always a big boost for the club?

RBH: The prize money is a great boost for the club. It’s always an extra motivator because we know how much the extra funds can change the game.

WSS: On a personal level, you have had some good cup runs with St Nicholas in the past but this is the furthest you have ever gone, would you say that this is the biggest match of your career to date?

RBH: I remember speaking to you guys after my history making win with St Nicholas against Forest Green Rovers to make it through to the First Round proper so to now be here, speaking ahead of a Fourth Round proper tie against WSL team opposition is crazy! Yes it is a big game but one I’m so excited to be part of. To know I’ll be going out there, giving it my all against world class players, with my two little boys watching on from the stands is something I could have only dreamed of when I was younger, but here I am about to make it happen.

Our thanks to Rianne - we remember that St Nicholas interview too!