Albion Women Manager Siobhan Hodgetts-Still believes her side were “convincing” as they successfully started their bid to retain the Birmingham County FA Challenge Cup on Sunday.
The Baggies ran out 5-1 winners over Boldmere St Michaels at the Alexander Stadium, with Hannah George (2), Naomi Sharp, Simran Jhamat and Phoebe Warner on the scoresheet in Round One.
Hodgetts-Still rotated her starting XI, making nine alterations in total, and the boss was delighted to see her side react positively.
She said: “We’re really happy with the performance. I thought we dominated the game and there were some really good passages of play in the first 45.
“It was just the final decision or the execution which we didn't quite manage to pull off. In the second half, I think once that second goal went in, we were just calm.
“Things just seemed to click and the goals obviously kept coming. We’re really happy with the performance and there were some really good standout displays from players too.
“Today, obviously we had to think about the fact we've got a three-game week, so it was important that we gave players opportunities and minutes.
“What a good thing to have that we can rotate the squad so much and still put in a convincing performance like we did.
“Winning breeds confidence. It’s five goals scored and I think we have to take that confidence and performance into Wednesday.”
With the Baggies set to face the physical challenge of facing five games over the next two weeks, full-back Naomi Sharp is keen to play a part after bagging her first goal for the club in the round-one tie.
The 19-year-old believes the “competitiveness” in the squad has been key to their positive early-season form.
“I'm really happy,” Sharp said. “Obviously scoring my first goal for the club is a great feeling and the girls put in a great shift as well. I couldn't be happier.
“In the first half we had most of the possession but I think we could have been better on the ball. But in the second half we came out and got the job done, which is what we came here to do.
“I didn't think my shot was going to hit the back of the net. But you take them all don’t you? So no, I was just really happy. In shock, really.
“I knew I was coming into the XI. I had to prove a point and I felt like I did that today. It’s really good to have that competitiveness amongst the girls.
“Honestly it helps that training has really high intensity and you can see that coming out in games and having that quality without all players playing or not. It's really good to have around the squad.”
The Baggies face a quick turnaround when they host Burnley on Wednesday (ko 7.45pm) at the Alexander Stadium.
