It doesn’t matter what age you are the magic of the FA Cup can still get you. And the pulling power of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup’s magic is no different to that of the Emirates FA Cup – especially when there is a giantkilling possible and a bit of history to be made.

While the older football fans among us get all misty eyed and nostalgic about classic FA Cup ties past and our favourite games in the competition, the good news is our younger generations share that passion for these cup competitions too.

AFC Portchester ladies player Lauren Aitken may be only 16 but this year’s competition has already given her memories she will cherish for a lifetime – and she’s keen to make some more too.

Lauren explained: “To play in the FA Cup so young is something I’ll carry with me forever. At 16, you expect to feel out of place, but this team – the players and the coaches – have made sure I never have.

“Stepping on to the pitch for my first FA Cup game at 16 felt surreal. I grew up watching this competition on TV in my football pyjamas supporting the teams, hoping one day my hard work would give me an opportunity to play in this competition.

“Now I am playing in the FA Cup and my dream has come true!”

Age is certainly no barrier to Lauren’s ambitions for this Sunday’s cup encounter with Worthing and she has set her sights on making more of her dreams come true in the competition.

Lauren added: “I am looking forward to playing this weekend against Worthing and hopefully have an opportunity to impact the game – and may be score and be one of the youngest to score on such a big occasion.”

Aitken has already scored five goals for the AFC Portchester Ladies first team so far this season from around a dozen appearances and the youngster will be aiming to net her first goal in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup competition during Sunday’s game at The OnSite Group Stadium.