BRADFORD City Women are preparing for a mammoth FA Cup showdown this weekend and star player Hannah Markey believes victory would represent a key milestone in the side’s development moving forward.

They travel to FA Women's Premier League Premier Division side Burnley in the second round of the competition on Sunday, and a win would represent a major scalp.

The Lancashire side sit two divisions above the Bantams, while both sides sit 3rd in their respective divisions.

Looking ahead to the fixture, speaking to the T&A, Markey said: “I’m really looking forward to this one, not just because it’s the second round of the FA Cup, but also because it will be a great test for me and my teammates.

“Burnley are a very strong team, a side two leagues above us, but it offers us a good chance to show where we’re at as a team.

“It’s the FA Cup too, so you never know what can happen.”

Despite being underdogs in this fixture, Markey admitted that the best chance of winning will come from Bradford sticking to what they know.

She said: “Burnley are a very good side and there will be points in the game where they will begin to control things. In those periods, we must defend well as a team.

“However, we also believe in our own abilities, so we must stick to what we know and play the way we usually do, and that’s with confidence.

“If we do that, then I’m sure we can give them a very good game.”

Discussing the magnitude of a victory this weekend, Markey said: “To beat Burnley would be massive. It would mean a lot, not just for the players but the staff and the club as a whole.

“For the younger players within the team, and the junior section, it would show them that there are signs of progression and that there is something to work towards in the future.

“It’s an exciting fixture and one that everyone is looking forward to.”

City currently sit 3rd after seven fixtures in the North East Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division, having picked up four victories so far.

Reflecting on the team’s start to the campaign, Markey said: “It’s been a positive start for us. Obviously, we’ve had a few difficulties with losing managers (Emily Senior most recently) but as a team we’ve stuck together, and we’ve come through it pretty well.

“We are progressing nicely, particularly as a group which is exactly what we want to be doing.

“Of course, we want to be at the top end of the league and showing that we deserve to be amongst the best, but it doesn’t happen overnight. However, we are definitely moving in the right direction.”

Markey, who has scored eight goals in ten matches across all competitions from midfield, added: “ On a personal note, I’m really enjoying my football at the minute. Right now, so far, I think it’s the best season I’ve had since I started playing.

“I’m playing with freedom; I’m playing with confidence, and I’m determined to push on and keep working extremely hard.

“I enjoy the responsibility of being one of the go-to players in the team as well. My game is about making an impact, and I feel like I’m achieving that currently.”