WORCESTER Norton women's hockey team play the most important match in their history tomorrow when they take on holders Ipswich in round five of the EHA Cup at Nunnery Wood, Worcester (2pm).

A large crowd is expected to watch the clash which will feature several international stars eager to clinch a place in the quarter-finals.

Worcester face a daunting task, but will go into the match in confident mood after seven triumphant years which has seen them rise from the anonymity of the Worcestershire County League to the leadership of the Midland Premier League and to be Midlands club champions.

During that spell they have only lost five league games. If they win the Midland Premier League this season - they are currently four points clear - they will qualify for the play-offs for entry into the National League.

Worcester will parade a team that boasts arguably the most talented group of young players in the country.

They are last year's National under-15 champions and this year both the under-15 and under-18 teams have reached the last 16 in their respective competitions.

The under 19s are Worcestershire champions and Midlands runners-up while the first team are also both Worcestershire and Midlands club champions.

From 15-year-old Midlands captain Fiona Nash in goal to England under-18 international striker Kate Draper, the team oozes the potential to cause an upset tomorrow.

In midfield will be Midlands under-17 gold medal winners Tina Evans and Charlene Mason.

A big responsibility will also fall on the young shoulders of Worcester's leading scorer over the last seven seasons Jo Walker.

Her fellow English Universities colleague Sadie Lapper will be prominent in defence as will 16-year-old Sophie Wood, another Midlands under-17 gold medallist and British Colleges representative.

Also in the squad will be Becky Adams (Midlands under-16), Hannah Bourne (Midlands under-18), Becky Handy (Midlands under-21), Jenny Rogers and Jackie Russell (Midlands under-15), Charlotte Tysler (Midlands under-16).

Thirteen of the squad are 21 or younger and it will be left to the experienced heads of captain Elaine Shepperd, Amanda Smith and Kate Fletcher to keep their team-mates focussed.