We can’t wait to get back out onto the field in front of our fantastic supporters when we entertain Sunderland Ladies at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes tonight. It’s fantastic again that the game, which kicks off at 7pm BST, will be free for supporters to watch live on LFCTV GO and our official Liverpool Ladies FC Facebook page.
We will be looking to continue our good form in the Spring Series and pick up another three points but it will be far from easy against a tough Sunderland Ladies side. They haven’t conceded any goals so far but with us in great goalscoring form it should make for an exciting encounter. We have scored 14 goals in our first four games but we also know we are conceding a few goals as well. It was good to get that clean sheet in our last game against Birmingham City Ladies, and I feel if we can tighten up at the back then we know we have got a lot of goals in this team. We just need to combine the two together and get the balance right, and if we can do that we can end the Spring Series in a commanding position. This is what the Spring Series is for - to get the best prepared we can be for the start of the Women’s Super League season.
I have managed to get a few goals recently myself and it’s a great feeling. That’s the one thing I wanted to improve on because last year I didn’t manage to score. With the quality of delivery we have from set-pieces we should be converting more of them so I’m delighted that I have been able to contribute by scoring three goals in four games, I'll definitely take that! We are a very attacking team and it has been fantastic to have Alex Greenwood back from injury this year as she is creating havoc for the opposition with the accuracy of her crosses from out wide.
We worked very hard to pick up all three points in our last game away at Birmingham City Ladies and it was great for Jess Clarke to get her first goal in a red shirt. Jess came in to our squad a bit later in pre-season than the rest of us and she has suffered a couple of niggling injuries which has limited her game time so far. To get her first goal on her first start for Liverpool Ladies we were all over the moon for her and I’m sure it will be the first of many. I’ve known Jess for a long time, we grew up together at Leeds and I know what an excellent player she is. She is an exciting addition for us and has fitted in brilliantly with the girls as well.
Another player who has been on fire in front of goal is Natasha Harding. Tash seems to be scoring in every game she plays at the moment and she deserves a lot of credit. She is relishing in the opportunity she has been given to play as a No.9, and it’s a real positive for us as a team she is getting into the goalscoring positions and putting them away for us. We have got goals coming from all over the pitch which shows both individually and collectively we have threats and are not just reliant on one player to get the goals. For us as a team that is a great asset to have knowing we have got that quality to hurt the opposition.
Going into the Sunderland Ladies game tonight we know it won’t be an easy task. They are also currently unbeaten and look like a very well organised side under their new manager this season. For us, we will have to be at our best and move the ball well to try and break their defensive shape knowing we have players to do so. With two games coming up in such quick succession we are aiming to get more points on the board, putting ourselves in a strong position and sending our supporters home happy!
We made a new signing on Tuesday with the capture of Amy Turner. I would like to welcome her to Liverpool Ladies and we are delighted to have such a talented player on board. Amy is a fantastic defender and will strengthen our backline so this is another great signing for the club.