Miller "gutted" for SSFC Women after Ponteland defeat

We spoke to South Shields Women co-head coach Alex Miller to dissect the 2-0 defeat against Ponteland United Women this afternoon. 

Read below to find out what she had to say about the game.

Q: What’s your overall assessment of the 90 minutes this afternoon?

“I think the lasses put a really good account of themselves out there. The work rate, the battling was there throughout. 

“We said that we needed work there and want it more than they did, and I think a lot of the time today, I don’t feel like it was a fair result.

“But, obviously at the end of the day, they’ve just made more of their chances than what we did but I think it’s a bit harsh on our side.

“We do feel like we battled through and it was quite evenly-matched throughout.

"It’s one of those things - football isn’t the kindest of sports but I thought the lasses put a really good version of themselves out there today.

"Again, we haven’t got the win but it’s looking at improvements, and each and every week we’re seeing improvements, whether that be on the field or off the field, so I’m still proud of the lasses today.” 

Q: And after January’s 4-1 away defeat, it seemed like a better response from the team and a better performance overall, despite the final score? 

“Yeah, definitely. I think last time out against Ponteland, we were really disappointed in the performance and our overall mentality as well.

“Today, a better performance - mentality was up there as well, so real, good improvements there.

“Disappointed with the result but lots of positives to take from the game.” 

Q: It can’t have been easy out there in those conditions (a mixture of wind and rain) to play to our strengths?

“It’s something that we don’t like to make excuses for, the pitch and the conditions, because it’s the same for both teams.

“But ultimately it is harder out there. It’s a lot more tiring when the ground is slipping from beneath you and the wind’s carrying the ball to different places, when you’ve already set yourself up for it.

“So it does involve a lot of adapting out there and resilience and I do think our lasses showed that today.

“Just really gutted that they didn’t have the result, unfortunately.” 

Q: Hopefully you’ll be looking for some more improvements heading into our next trip against Alnwick Town Ladies? 

“Alnwick’s a good team as well.

"None of our games, really, are going to be easy going into the latter part of the season but we’ve just got to turn up each and every week and show ourselves in our best light.

“And again, keep working on those improvements that we’re highlighting. I think the support today really did help but yeah, a trip up north next and fingers crossed we can get the result this week!”

Image credit: Craig McNair (@ideventphoto)