Beth Merrick has suggested that her two-goal haul at Molineux on Sunday afternoon “probably won’t sink in for a couple of days”.
The Wolves Women star netted twice against Huddersfield Town in front of the North Bank, the stand she’s grown up sitting in for men’s first-team fixtures since an early age. There was a record crowd of almost 4,000 inside Molineux there to support Dan McNamara’s side, who put five past the Terriers to keep their title hopes alive. Merrick has explained how it was important for the team to first and foremost ensure the victory was secured, before then taking some time to soak in the atmosphere and occasion on a memorable afternoon.
On winning the game
“We’re really pleased. The message at the start was to do whatever we can to win the game and for the time being, ignore and park what was going on around, do the job, get three points and then settle into the game and enjoy it, which we did.
“We’ve been critical of ourselves about not being clinical in front of goal. We were very clinical in front of goal today.
“We still think we could’ve been better but that first half performance was really good and it was pleasing to get so many goals. On another day we probably could’ve got more but it was really pleasing to come in with a comfortable win.”
On scoring twice
“I probably couldn’t have dreamt to score two in front of where I sit in the North Bank. It will probably be one of the career highlights for me. It was amazing and probably won’t sink in for a couple of days.”
On the message at half-time and enjoying the moment
“Keep going and more of the same. The first minutes of that half was crucial. We haven’t started so well in some of the second halves this season so it was really important to kill the game off early - I think that last goal really did that.
“Although the second half went a little bit damp, I think it was still a good performance and we controlled it. Macca just wanted more of the same.
“Three points were all that mattered. At half-time, it was still more of the same and the job wasn’t done. We were 2-0 up against them last time and made it really hard work for ourselves, so it was really important in that first 15 minutes of the second half to come out and fire on all cylinders.
“It started to relax in the second half and we started to enjoy the moment a bit more, which you probably couldn’t blame us for.”
On facing Liverpool Feds next week
“They were the opening game of the season and we struggled, it was a really tough game. For us, it will be back to the training pitch on Tuesday and Thursday and see what we could come up against.
“We’ve got to try and win everything we can in the last few games of the season so it’s about ending on a high, but also righting a few wrongs and put to bed what happened last time against them.”
On the record-breaking crowd
“Amazing. It makes such a difference, particularly in the moments where you’re not so much in the game – it gives you that 12th man effect that people talk about.
“It was amazing to see so many young girls and boys out there. I’ve just seen Tammi signing a shirt and it made somebody’s day, so to be able to do that is a great feeling.”
