Albion Women Manager Siobhan Hodgetts-Still says her side were “brave” throughout their comeback 2-1 victory against Stoke City in their opening fixture at the Alexander Stadium.
The Baggies were a goal down heading into the final 17 minutes, but efforts from Fran Orthodoxou and Phoebe Warner earned the hosts three dramatic FAWNL points.
The Albion boss was pleased to see more grit and determination to strike late in the match once again, just two weeks on from their emphatic comeback win over Liverpool Feds.
“I'm delighted with the win and the three points,” Hodgetts-Still said. “I thought it was a game of two halves; I didn’t think we were great in the first half.
“They were first to the ball. We couldn't get hold of it and then we obviously made a few subs at half time and changed a few things.
“We’re really happy with the three points. We have to be brave in making those changes and I thought we needed someone in the midfield that would go and win those headers and compete – that’s Fran’s game.
“I’m really happy that she got the first goal. We just agreed at the end of the game just in the huddle, we’re delighted with the character and the resilience that they showed in the fight in the second half. What we have to start doing though is making better starts to matches.
“I said to the girls at half time, it's there for the taking. I said if we get one, we're going to win and that showed on the pitch.”
Goalscorer Orthodoxou was sent on as part of a raft of mid-game changes, and she brought just the “physical presence” required to win the match.
“Watching from the side, it was a bit tense,” Orthodoxou said. “I'm happy that I got brought on at half time and I could make an impact, and I thought me and Sim (Simran Jhamat) came on and did just that.
“Shev (Siobhan Hodgetts-Still) just wanted more of a physical presence in midfield to press and get tackles in. We all stepped up in the second half and I said to the girls let's get some crosses into the box, it’s a slippery surface because the rain started to pour down.
“We have a great mentality and we know that we can come back as we have the depth in our squad. Today, everyone backed each other, there was a lot of people in the stand backing us too.”
Burnley are the next visitors to the Alexander Stadium, with Hodgetts-Still pleased to see plenty of the Albion faithful packed into the stands at their new home.
“Burnley are a good team; we’ll prepare and plan the same way as we always do,” the boss said. “I said to the players let’s put a stamp on the ground, let’s make it our fortress and hard to come and play here.
“For the fans, I thought they were great. The weather wasn’t great, but I thought they were excellent. We could hear them, and hopefully those crowds grow.”
