When the Harlow Town Ladies step onto the field tomorrow, they will be able to match their best result in the FA Women’s Cup.

After five games, they have progressed to the First Round Proper of the competition welcoming Ipswich Town Women of the National League to the Harlow Arena.

The team is the lowest-ranked side in the South of England as well as Essex and go up against Ipswich Town who are one of the highest ranked.

The Ladies were reformed under the Harlow Town banner ahead of the 2015/16 season, following inspiration from the 2015 Women’s World Cup which saw England finished 3rd as well as the Women’s FA Cup becoming a regular fixture at Wembley Stadium.

Due to their formation, the Ladies did not play in the competition in that first season but did make an appearance during the 2016/17, when they were eliminated by fellow Essex side Billericay Town Ladies in the Second Qualifying Round, the round they started in.

The following season [2017/18] was the season the club made history as they reached the Second Round proper. After surpassing Little Thurrock Dynamos, Bungay Town and Denham United in the qualifying rounds, they beat Royston Town in the First Round proper as they reached the Second Round for the first time. It was not to be though and a loss to Luton Town Ladies in extra-time meant they did not progress further.

The 2018/19 season saw the Hawks beaten in the Second Qualifying Round, losing 6-0 to Cambridge United after beating Brentwood Town in the previous round.

But the team were close to a First-Round tie last season. After being AFC Sudbury, King’s Lynn Town and Wroxham, they were drawn against Billericay Town but were beaten 2-1 in the Third Qualifying Round. Being one win away from the First Round inspired the Ladies to achieve that this season.

This season’s run began against Runwell Sports on the road as Harlow won 6-0. That was followed by 4-games against fellow-league sides. Colney Heath were beaten by score of 4-3 with the winner coming in the 88th-minute when Georgia Box scored from the spot before a lone Box goal was enough to beat Bowers & Pitsea. St Ives Town were well-beaten at the Arena as Harlow beat the Saints 5-1 before the last game, in the Third Qualifying Round, saw the Hawks win a penalty shootout against Royston Town with goalkeeper Sarah Walker making a fantastic save before Captain Kaydee King stepped up to score the winning spot kick.

Now Harlow face a tough test against higher opposition and need the support of Harlow and the surrounding areas to get them to the Second Round Proper and one game away from making history.