Dan McNamara has challenged his side to finish the season off in style after cruising to a 5-1 win over Derby County in their final home game of the season.
Liv Fergusson, Beth Merrick (2), Tammi George and Amber Hughes scored the goals at the New Bucks Head and manager McNamara spoke about his side scoring five goals, Merrick’s fine form and his challenge to the players to remain unbeaten for the remainder of the season.
On securing another victory
“It’s disappointing to concede. I say it all the time that we like those clean sheets, but five good goals and a really convincing performance.
“The girls have found another gear over these last few weeks, which is seven wins on the bounce, and that is phenomenal at any level of football, certainly with the quality of the teams within this league.
“Delighted for them how they applied themselves over the last few weeks as it was a difficult start to the year.
“January and February probably didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but they have put it right, worked hard in training, and applied themselves on the pitch.
“Now they are getting their rewards, so fantastic and delighted to see some good goals scored there and some great performances and, hopefully, we can take that into the two tough away games going forward.”
On Beth Merrick and Amber Hughes
“Amber obviously, again, has created her own one there. Quite often, you see the centre forward pull out of them, but she deserves that with her work rate and effort tonight.
“Beth has had a fantastic week hasn’t she, scoring a couple of braces, and the girl has so much quality.
“We have a tough time, me and Beth. We have a love-hate relationship, shall we say, and I do push her at times and probably push her a bit too much because I know what she is capable of.
“The girl has tremendous talent, and she is a joy to work with most of the time. She comes up with quality and moments like she has done over the last four days, so fantastic again.”
On the final two league games
“We are riding the wave at the minute. As I say, seven on the bounce is fantastic at any level, but I just said to the girls in the huddle then Halifax will not back down on Sunday, and they will want to finish strong at home and a good result for them against Newcastle last week.
“Then obviously Liverpool Feds, I don’t think we have ever won at Liverpool Feds. I think we got beat in the cup up there a few years ago and obviously drew last year in the opening game of the season.
“Again, that is going to be tough as they want to put a performance on in front of a bumper crowd for their season.
“The challenge is to the girls can we take this great feeling into the County Cup final on the 14th of May and then roll it over into next season and let’s see what that brings and close off in style.”
