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Women's FA Cup rescheduling decision a ‘missed opportunity' - Rosie Kmita

Rosie Kmita has called the Premier League’s decision to not reschedule a West Ham United men’s game so that it doesn’t clash with the Women’s FA Cup final a ‘missed opportunity.”

West Ham’s men play Southampton at 3pm at the London Stadium on May 4th, while the women play in the FA Cup final first the first time - against Manchester City - at Wembley Stadium on the same day at 5:30pm.

The club submitted a request to the Premier League for their men’s game to be moved to 12:30 so that fans could watch both of the club’s fixtures.

Cho So-Hyun of West Ham Ladies celebrates winning the penalty shoot out with Jane Ross and Rosie Kmita during the Women's FA Cup Semi Final match between Reading Women and West Ham United Ladies
Rosie Kmita celebrates West Ham's FA Cup semi-final win over Reading.

West Ham Ladies winger Kmita believes it would have been beneficial to both matches, had the Premier League clash been moved.

Talking on Yahoo Sport’s The Football Show, the 24-year-old said: “I think it’s an opportunity missed. I think it shows a lot about West Ham and what they are about that they put the request in.

“We honestly feel like one club. We get that feeling every day at the training ground, so it shows a lot that they put the request in and thought about us.”

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Many West Ham fans have said they will leave the men’s game early so they can make the women’s FA Cup final, and Kmita added: “It is just a shame that we’ve been put in this position in the first place.

“But hopefully it is a lesson learned and moving forward it doesn’t get scheduled again on the same day.

“It is a bit of a shame but we will still get a good crowd.”

Cho So-Hyun of West Ham Ladies celebrates winning the penalty shoot out with Jane Ross and Rosie Kmita of West Ham Ladies during the Women's FA Cup Semi Final match between Reading Women and West Ham United Ladies
West Ham ladies celebrate reaching the FA Cup final.

When asked whether the Women’s Super League fixtures and Premier League games should be arranged so that fans could go to both games, Kmita said: “That would be amazing, 100%. That would be amazing for the women’s game.

“That would give us a whole new audience and that is what we need. It would help us fast forward even more.”

In a statement on their website regarding the request to have their Premier League game the club wrote: “To give supporters the chance to attend both that game and West Ham United’s women’s FA Cup final fixture against Manchester City at Wembley later that day (5.30pm), the club had requested for the clash with the Saints to be brought forward to 12.30pm.

“Despite the club’s very best efforts, it was decided by the Premier League that it wouldn’t be possible due to the potential inconvenience caused to supporters who had already planned their journeys and purchased tickets.

“Therefore, the game will remain at the originally scheduled time of 3pm.

“West Ham United is naturally disappointed but would like to thank all of our loyal supporters and sincerely appreciates the fantastic backing they give to all who pull on the famous claret and blue.”