Olivia Watt urges Middlesbrough to ‘aim high’ by targeting Adobe Women’s FA Cup run after big Cheadle Town Stingers win - ‘We can do it’
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Updated 26/10/2025 at 00:30 GMT+1
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"Why not?" That was Olivia Watt's response when asked if Middlesbrough could go on a cup run after their 4-0 thrashing of Cheadle Town Stingers on Saturday. In a landmark moment for the competition, TNT Sports broadcast the first ever live first-round match in Adobe Women's FA Cup history. Watt, who scored a superb volley, was full of confidence after, saying: "Why not aim high?"
Highlights: Middlesbrough dispatch Cheadle in historic Women's FA Cup tie
Video credit: TNT Sports
Middlesbrough’s goalscoring heroine Olivia Watt is eyeing a run in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup after a 4-0 thrashing of Cheadle Town Stingers left her asking: "Why not aim high?"
Watt struck a sweet volley to double the home side’s lead in a historic first round clash on Saturday.
It marked the first-ever Women’s FA Cup first-round fixture to be broadcast live on television, with the game shown on TNT Sports and discovery+, leaving defender Watt elated after her spectacular effort was beamed across the country.
"Absolutely over the moon. I saw the rebound off the bar and knew I was going to hit it straight away," Watt told TNT Sports.
"Top corner, I’m absolutely buzzing – as you can see from my celebration."
She added: "I’m sure it’ll be on all the socials! I’m over the moon but couldn’t have done it without the lasses.
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'What a volley!' - Watt fires home to double Boro's advantage
Video credit: TNT Sports
"It’s testament to the management team as well, because we’re free to express ourselves and that’s what we’ve done today.
"You can tell by the goals that we’ve scored, pushing on to the end, getting two goals in the last minute as well. We never stopped. It just shows we’re building every week, really proud of us."
Middlesbrough’s name will go into the hat for the second-round draw on Monday, with the FAWNL Northern Premier Division side eyeing a blockbuster tie later in the tournament.
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Women’s Super League 2 clubs join the competition in the third round, while the 12 WSL sides – including giants like defending champions Chelsea and European champions Arsenal – enter in round four.
Asked about Middlesbrough’s prospects of going on a run that could set up a big tie, Watt said: "I think we can do it. I think we’ve shown (in) the last five weeks, every game we’ve got better and better, scoring more and more goals every week.
"I think why not? Why not aim high? I’m so proud of us today."
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Ferguson gives Boro the lead from the spot after 'a big call' from referee
Video credit: TNT Sports
Middlesbrough currently compete in the third tier of English women’s football after beating Cheadle Town Stingers to promotion from the fourth tier FAWNL Division One North last season.
Their performance in brushing aside their old rivals impressed TNT Sports pundits Laura Bassett and Fara Williams, who believe they will now be backing themselves to progress further.
"They have acquitted themselves so well today, scoring four goals, keeping another clean sheet," Bassett said.
"They are in the hat on Monday; I’m sure they will have a group get together and see who they have got. That’s the most exciting bit."
Williams added: "They will be ambitious and after today’s result they will think a good draw can see them into the next round and get the top opposition in the WSL and WSL 2."
TNT Sports will be bringing 19 Women's FA Cup clashes to your screens throughout the 2025/26 campaign as part of a three-year deal, which will garner greater exposure for women's football clubs across the pyramid. TNT Sports will also broadcast a second-round fixture, which will be another first for the Women's FA Cup.
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