Marieanne Spacey-Cale: Southampton manager reflects on 'magic' of FA Cup

Once described by legendary Arsenal manager Vic Akers as «one of the most feared forwards in the game,» Marieanne Spacey-Cale is hoping to achieve the same success as a manager that she experienced as a player.

The Southampton head coach could lead the south coast club to their first FA Cup quarter-final this weekend with fellow third-tier side Ipswich Town standing in their way.

However, FA Cup success is not unfamiliar to Spacey-Cale.

It is a competition she won seven times as a player — winning four FA Cup trophies in eight seasons with Arsenal and then claiming three with Fulham, including a domestic treble in 2002-03.

Now the former England international has the chance to replicate her success as a manager, but how has the FA Cup changed since her retirement from club football in 2005, and what experience can she pass on to her players?

«The number of clubs that can cause an upset — it's becoming the magic of the FA Cup,» Spacey-Cale told BBC Sport.

«It did happen before but now there's greater depth, there's more teams that can upset teams in different leagues.

»It's just seen as the magic of the FA Cup, not the women's FA Cup, and that's a massive step forward."

Spacey-Cale scored Arsenal's winning goal in the 1995 final, a 3-2 victory against Liverpool, but says it is like trying to get «blood out of a stone» for the Southampton players to make their manager speak about her playing days.

«There are times when I think you might need to have a moment of 'I know how you're feeling' so they understand they're not alone in these moments,» she added. «You've been there yourself.»

Southampton compete in the Southern Premier Division of the Women's National League, and are currently on a 11-game winning streak under Spacey-Cale.