Albion Women Manager Siobhan Hodgetts-Still says her side “grew in confidence” throughout their 3-2 victory over Liverpool Feds on Sunday.
The Baggies had to come from two goals down with just 17 minutes remaining to pick up three points on Merseyside, as efforts from Rhianne Oakley, Phoebe Warner and finally Kate Evans turned the contest completely on its head in exceptional circumstances.
And it was the belief of her players that Hodgetts-Still was most pleased to witness on a day which saw the visitors notch their first FAWNL Northern Premier win of the season.
“I’m proper chuffed that we got the three points,” said Hodgetts-Still. “I think it was important today that we came here and got three points.
“In the first half, we went 2-0 down quite quickly and it gave us a bit of a mountain to climb. We spoke about a few things at the break, and I thought we came out in the second half in brilliant fashion.
“When we scored the first goal, I think we just grew in confidence and then grew into the game even further. The goals then came. I thought the subs that came on made the difference.
“Going 2-0 down wasn’t ideal, but we had belief. We still kept trying to create chances to score, we shifted a few things and the girls came out fighting – once that first goal went in I thought we might get three points.
“I just thought we were on the up, we had the momentum, you could see that the girls were pushing and the fight they had to go and get the points.”
Defensive midfielder Evans scored the winning goal at Walton Hall Park, her first in Albion colours since joining in 2022 – and she was delighted to help the team to victory.
“I'm buzzing,” Evans said. “I'm delighted that I scored, but I'm even happier to get three points. We put in a good performance, especially in the second half.
“The coaching staff want us to attack the front post and make those runs, so when I saw Amya going down the line I thought to make that exact run. I thought she was going to cut it back across the box, but instead, the ball came to the front post and I was there to capitalise.
“I think we had belief, and we were talking at half-time about what a story it would be if we can come back and nick three goals to get a win. So, to do that and to come on and be a part of it is great, but credit to the girls for their performance.”
The late goals provide a perfect platform to build upon when the Baggies return to The Hawthorns next weekend, and Hodgetts-Still is excited for the opportunity to continue their FA WNL Cup campaign in front of a strong crowd.
“Today gives us a lot of confidence within the group,” she said. “Hopefully it gives us some momentum, and we want to see as many supporters at The Hawthorns there for us. We'll do our best to get another three points in the FAWNL Cup.”
