The current holders travel to the Keepmoat Stadium to face the only side to have beaten them in the competition last year and the defender asserts it’s crucial to secure points on the board in Group Two at the earliest opportunity.
The Blues lost their opening game of the 2014 competition in South Yorkshire but responded well by winning each one of their remaining games. This time, Nick Cushing’s side want to avoid having to recover by starting off with a win, as Brougham explained.
Previewing the clash at one of her favourite away grounds, the youngster told mcfc.co.uk: “Everyone’s feeling great.
“Doncaster are a tough team to play - especially at their own ground. They’re top of the FA Women’s Super League 2 and they’ll want to beat the holders.
“It will be a difficult game but we’re all ready to go.
“Obviously, we’ve got to retain the title so it would be good to get points straight away and then we can kick on from there.”
Despite her youth, Brougham played a part in helping City to win their first piece of silverware last October and is eager to achieve more success with the club she’s played for since childhood.
“It would be a great feeling to win it again,” she smiled. “We’re in a good place at the moment.
“We’ve won our last two games and we’re building a bit of momentum now. Hopefully, we’ll win our third successive game and push on in the cup and in the league.”
With Sunday’s crucial league clash at Chelsea on the horizon, Cushing could ring the changes for tonight’s game. Brougham admits it can be tough to prepare with such little time but insists the Blues will do so as best they can.
“It can be difficult but as soon as the Doncaster game finishes, we’ll be looking towards Sunday. It’s a big game - it’s like a final to us and as long as we recover well, we’ll be ready.”
City have started the second half of the season brightly, winning two from two.
As well as clinching maximum points, the Blues also broke the league’s attendance record and Brougham hopes those fans who turned out against Birmingham will continue to show their support for the rest of the campaign as her side aim to climb the table and lift a second trophy.
She said: “It’s massively important for the fans to keep backing us because that will prove how far the women’s game has come.
“Walking out onto the pitch in front of a big crowd gives you an amazing feeling - a boost. It makes you want to play for the fans who have taken their time to show their support.
“We want them to keep coming back and if we carry on playing well, hopefully they will.”
Tonight’s game kicks-off at 7:45pm. We’ll have live updates on Twitter and a match report shortly after full-time.
City’s next home game is a Continental Cup clash against Durham Women at the Academy Stadium on Wednesday 29 July (7pm).
Tickets are available and details can be found here.
