Hashtag United star eyeing 'big' Kenilworth Road moment in Newcastle clash

Kenilworth Road has played host to some huge games since Luton Town secured promotion to the Premier League last summer.

But, for Hashtag United defender Hayley West, there are few fixtures that loom quite as large as this weekend's FA Women's National League Cup (FAWNL) final. It's been a whirlwind couple of years for Jason Stephens' side, who only officially started playing under the Hashtag banner in 2020.

Having initially started out as Basildon Town Ladies FC in 2004, the club has progressed through the leagues and currently operates in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division — the third tier of the women's game. And, for West, who is in her third season with the Tags, the opportunity to play in a cup final feels like a reward for years of hard work.

«When I start a season, I have my personal goals, but there are so many different competitions and every game is an important game so I think looking ahead can be a bad idea because if you can set yourself up for disappointment if you get there,» she says.

«It’s about taking it one game at a time and so for me to actually get to this final is a real reward and we’re just going to love that moment. We’re playing at Luton Town on a Saturday afternoon in front of probably the biggest crowd a lot of us have played in front of and, for a senior player like myself, it will be nice to experience something like that. It really is a big moment and, whatever the result, of the game we’ll be proud that we’ve got there.»

West has played football since the age of ten and has enjoyed spells with clubs such as Charlton Athletic and West Ham United. The 30-year-old, who also works as a physiotherapist, credits her Mum and her Nan with facilitating her football career but believes things could