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Best friends ready to do battle in FA Cup clash

John Fairhall / Stuart Howells Hashtag United's Holly Turner and Ipswich Town's Sophie Peskett. John Fairhall / Stuart Howells
Best of frenemies: It's honours even so far between Ipswich Town Women and Hashtag United. But between these best friends, who will come out on top in the FA Cup?

Two best friends will go into "battle" this weekend as their two teams meet each other in the Women's FA Cup.

Sophie Peskett and Holly Turner both played for Ipswich Town, until Turner left to go back to her former team Hashtag United in the summer.

Both teams are fighting for promotion and the two friends are in the running for their division's golden boot for leading goalscorer.

"We speak every week," Turner said. "She knows I'm in her corner regardless, but we're both going to want to win on Sunday."

Ross Halls Sophie Peskett, jumping in celebration, wearing the blue Ipswich Town it, as fans raise their arms in the background. Ross Halls
Jumping for joy: Sophie Peskett celebrates after netting against Hashtag earlier in the season.

The Blues are Southern Premier Division leaders, level on points with Hashtag.

The Tractor Girls' stunning season means they are yet to lose a league game, scoring 47 goals in 10 matches.

Highlights include beating MK Dons 12-0 in the first round of the cup.

Winger Peskett, 22, has been instrumental, with 14 goals and four assists.

"I'm really happy, but there is more to come. We're unbeaten in the league, and want to keep that momentum going," she said.

Town drew first blood in the rivalry with Hashtag this year, with a 2-0 league win. Hashtag responded with a 1-0 League Cup win last month.

'Special moments'

"We've played Hashtag a few times this year. We know what we're going to get. It's a battle and a fight. We want to play pretty football but sometimes, you have two teams scrap, and see who comes out on top."

Town have enjoyed previous FA Cup runs, facing Super League opposition like West Ham and Manchester City, and reached the quarter-finals in 2022.

"The FA Cup has given me some really special moments," Peskett said.

"We played Man City, which was an amazing experience as a 16-year-old to play against Lauren Hemp and Keira Walsh."

Ross Halls Holly Turner, wearing her Hashtag United jersey, which is patterned white and red. Ross Halls
Hashtag United Holly Turner has hit a purple patch since returning to Hashtag, following her summer departure from Ipswich

Hashtag United's women side formed in 2020 following a merger with AFC Basildon.

Similar to Ipswich, they have have enjoyed promotions and cup runs of their own.

In the summer, Hashtag re-signed Turner from Ipswich. She has since scored 13 goals and assisted two.

"I really enjoyed Ipswich. I loved the group, but I wanted to play. It was a mutual decision, and I knew Hashtag was the place where I can come back and prove myself again," she said.

"I feel like I'm home. I have a chip on my shoulder and I've got a point to prove."

Hashtag beat Wroxham 6-0 in round one, before drawing Ipswich in round two.

"Everyone loves the FA Cup. It brings big excitement. We want a good cup run, like we have before, get past Ipswich and get an exciting draw," added Turner.

Contributed Sophie Peskett and Holly Turner, in opposing coloured kits, arm in arm on the pitch after their most recent league clash.Contributed
Despite Turner swapping Town for Tags, the pair remain best mates

Best of frenemies

Despite Turner's switch back to Essex, the pair remain close.

"I love Pesk. We bonded straight away, she's a great character," said Turner.

"We've got a good battle for top scorer. If I come second to her, I'll have had a good season."

Peskett added: "Every game, I text her to say good luck. On the sly, I'm thinking 'I don't want her to get more goals than me!' When we come up against her, I hope I come out on top."

Ross Halls Ipswich Town Women's striker Natasha Thomas, in her blue Ipswich Town kit, preparing to strike the ball, closed down by Hastag United's Courtney Lumley, in a claret and blue away kit. Ross Halls
Suffolk vs Essex: The winner will take home £8,000 prize money and will go into the hat for round three.

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