SSFC Women back to winning ways against Wallsend

South Shields Women player/coach Alex Miller said her squad 'had a point to prove' on Sunday as the lasses beat Wallsend BC 2-1.

Sophie Greener opened the scoring to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead at the break, before Eve Gatens won the game with a rocket of a free-kick just before full-time, giving Shields all three points.

The result kept Shields third in the NERWFL Premier Division as well as maintaining their run this season of never drawing a league match.

Miller believed the game was what she expected, and the preparation at training during the week certainly played its part in getting the win.

She said: “After last weekend's disappointment, we felt we had a point to prove, so we focused on strengthening the togetherness of the team during training this week, and went back to basics.

“The lasses had two great sessions during the week and we went into the game feeling quietly confident.”

It was important not to repeat the same mistakes as last weekend when the second half was a stark contrast to the first, and Miller has reflected on that.

“The half-time team talk centred around what had gone well and what had gone wrong last week - we wanted to make sure history didn’t repeat itself”, she added.

“The start of the second half was a little unsettled initially, and we conceded through a decent set play.

“However, unlike last weekend, the lasses showed their winning mentality and did not let their heads drop."

Gatens was the hero for Shields once again, and through a free-kick just like against Wakefield the previous Sunday.

She added: “The lasses grouped together, dug their heels in and were rewarded with another rocket of a free-kick by Eve Gatens. The feeling was unreal when that winning goal went in.

“Overall it was a complete team performance both on and off the pitch, and it has put us back on the winning path!”

The lasses are next in action against Harrogate Town at home on April 16th (2pm kick-off).