Albion Women Manager Siobhan Hodgetts-Still believes her team had to be “brilliant” at both sides of their game as they beat Stoke City 2-0 in the FAWNL Cup on Sunday.
The Baggies showcased some impressive football to take a 2-0 lead inside the first 19 minutes through Phoebe Warner and Monique Robinson, but were reduced to 10 players when Fran Orthodoxou was sent off late in the tie.
Hodgetts-Still was pleased to see her players display their footballing ability, along with grit and determination, on a day where they secured safe passage into the last-16 of the competition.
The boss said: “I'm really pleased that we're through to the next round, but I’m really proud of the girls’ performance today. I thought in the first half, for the first 35 minutes, I thought we were brilliant.
“We stuck to the game plan, pressed in moments and scored two really good goals. In the second half, I thought we made it quite transitional, which left lots of spaces open and gave Stoke chances to get back in the game.
“Some brilliant defending and goalkeeping obviously kept us in it. I thought we managed it, it’s another clean sheet and another win.
“I think that's what we have got to our game. I think we’re excellent in terms of out-of-possession and defending the area, defending the box.
“You saw that in the second half today. There were people putting bodies on the line and winning headers and tackles.
“We had to dig deep the last ten obviously with Fran Orthodoxou getting sent off. We did that, and everyone worked, everyone grafted to see out the win and the clean sheet.”
Left-back Ella Haughey agreed and says “protecting the lead” was key to their cup progression at the Alexander Stadium, where the Baggies remain unbeaten.
“We’re buzzing, the girls did really well,” Haughey said. “First half we came out and we were flying with two quick goals.
“Then in the second half, it was just about protecting the lead. I thought we did well.
“It's now six wins on the bounce and another clean sheet for us. If you don't concede, you can't lose. We’re really, really buzzing.
“Charlotte Clarke our goalkeeper has been brilliant when she's come in. Defensively, we've all been putting in a shift. We’re so glad to see the hard work pay off.
“I think we’ve got a few clean sheets now, more than last season. We’re happy and hopefully it continues.
“I think we're just going to take every game as it comes from now. We want to go far in this tournament and we've got the County Cup and we want to retain that. We want to go far in the FA Cup, and obviously stay high in the league.”
With the fixtures piling up towards the end of October, and the Baggies on a buoyant six-game winning run, Manager Hodgetts-Still is keen for her players to remain grounded as they head into a busy period.
“We want to progress in all competitions,” Hodgetts-Still said. “This is a step in the right direction for that.
“We’ve got another cup game next week and that's going to cause us different problems. I think there's going to be some changes and some chances for other people to get some minutes.”
