Californian dreaming of Fulham flaw show

Charlton are not often cast as the party-pooper but following the men's futile attempt to ruin Manchester United's day at Old Trafford yesterday, it is the women's turn at Selhurst Park tomorrow.

The difference is that if Charlton Women defeat Fulham Ladies to win the Women's FA Cup they will not only prevent their opponents from winning an historic treble, they will actually win some silverware themselves for the first time in their history. Having disposed of one of the pre-tournament favourites, Arsenal, in the semi-finals, Keith Boanas's team will be quietly confident they can cause another upset.

"It's a great opportunity for us," says the Charlton midfielder Susan Rea, a Californian engineering student at Cambridge University. "We've already come further than anticipated and everyone expects Fulham to win, so we will just go out there and have a go. Whatever happens, this will be a great day for women's soccer."

The game is live on BBC1 at 1pm, thus giving the women the platform many feel they deserve. "It's the only chance there is to get coverage," Rea says on her day off from her course in artificial bone replacements. "We're going to be on TV and hopefully get the respect we have earned."

The 24-year-old, who first took up the game at the age of six, adds: "Awareness needs to be built up. Once people realise how well women can play they'll be interested in coming to watch. The game itself is no less entertaining. If anything the women's game tends to be a bit more tactical than the men's because it's not just about pure physical strength and speed."

Success on the pitch is a major ambition for the former Princeton student, but the lack of funding means that a non-football career is a necessity. "Someone like David Beckham wouldn't be able to do anything on the side," Rea says. "His life is consumed by football. I think it's nice to have a bit of balance in your life. I like studying and football – it would have been very tough to choose one exclusively." Not tomorrow it won't.