ColumnMatt Beard on FA Cup progress, Manchester City trip and squad depth

It was a tough game on Sunday, the conditions were tough, it was a tough pitch to play on but we came through it and got the job done.

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I just think it shows how the gap is closing between the top divisions and the lower ones. This was never going to be an easy game by any stretch of the imagination.

It was their cup final and there were loads of factors in it that made it uncomfortable for us, but I thought we were professional.

In the first half I thought we let ourselves down. We didn't create enough and we kept playing ourselves into trouble. I thought in the second half we were excellent and the changes we made during half-time made a difference, so we were pleased to get through what was a tricky tie.

Marie Höbinger scored a fantastic goal to give us the lead and we have missed her when she has been out.

You know once she has time and space around the edge of the box she will create something, and I thought we were unlucky not to score before that with Taylor Hinds and then Leanne Kiernan hit the bar.

Mia Enderby took her chance as well and that wasn't an easy finish, a fantastic strike. I gave Julia Bartel her first start and I thought she was excellent. She controlled the midfield for us, she was good in the air, she was feisty, tenacious in the tackle, she was excellent.

Alejandra Bernabe made her debut and played the opening 45 minutes. All the changes we made at half-time were tactical and nothing to do with anyone's performance. It's important for her she has got her first minutes for us.

Lawsy [Rachael Laws] made an excellent save at 0-0, which was important. That was probably their real opportunity to get in front. We should have defended that situation better but credit to Lawsy.

We now face a trip to Arsenal in the quarter-finals and while it is a tough challenge, we will go there and embrace it. We beat Arsenal at the Emirates last season and we have shown time and time again we can beat these big teams.

They are a very good side with some world-class players but we are a good side as well and we want to keep our run going in the FA Cup.

We now turn our preparations to the WSL and an away trip to Manchester City on Sunday (kick-off 6.45pm GMT).

Unfortunately, we will be without Olivia Smith, who will serve a one-game ban. Smithy has found her feet just of late but this will now present an opportunity for someone else. It's part and parcel of the game, injuries, suspensions etc, so it's a blow but we've got a great squad depth now.

Manchester City have been a bit up and down of late with some of their results, losing to Arsenal and Manchester United. But they are a fantastic side and it is going to be a great test for us.

As always, we will go there with the intention of trying to get three points and we will give it everything we have got.

Thank you for your continued support as always.

YNWA,

Matt

Matt Beard was speaking to Liverpoolfc.com's Steve Hunter

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