Beth Merrick was pleased with her first goal back from injury and proud of her teammates following their 5-0 victory away at Loughborough Lightning in the FAWNL.
Merrick secured the second goal of the afternoon whilst also touching on her struggles with her first injury setback and getting ready to face the Baggies at Molineux on Sunday 29th March.
On the group performance
“At half time we were quite disappointed, there were some harsh words in the dressing room from Macca.
“I suppose a lot of us went out with not a point to prove but just to put things right that didn’t quite happen in the first half.
“When you look at the scoreline at the end of the game and it’s 5-0, I don’t think you can have too many complaints.”
On the standards set for themselves
“They’re such a brilliant group, we hold ourselves so highly and the staff hold us so highly.
“When we’re not on it as much as maybe what the staff want, we’ve got to do everything to make sure that we turn it around and don’t waste an opportunity to score goals and make sure keep this journey going.
“There were harsh words said but they were probably needed and a lot of us needed to hear to do even the smallest little bits to change.
“The character in this group is amazing, and I reckon I’ve said that in interviews so many times but there aren’t many better groups.”
On her first goal back from injury
“I think when you watch it back it probably doesn’t look like I was so happy about it but I was happy!
“I think for me of all the goals from today, the fifth one was the best one scored by Charlotte (Greengrass).
“We spoke about the identity of what we are as a team at the end of the game and how players don’t give up, that was more pleasing to me than actually scoring.
“I think all the goals had something about them which really shows an identity and that’s the most rewarding thing.
“Hopefully when we go into analysis on Tuesday, we can see that identity and see some nice analysis clips, that would be lovely.”
On her experience with her first setback from injury
“I’ve never been injured really; I’ve never had anything.
“I’ve probably been an absolute pain to all the staff; I’ve probably been a pain to anyone around me.
“I’ve found it to be one of the most challenging points of my career and definitely since coming back over the last couple of weeks, I’ve found it really challenging.
“Credit to anybody who is out for a long period of time, we’ve got Lily (Simkin) who is in the physio room and an inspiration to all of us when you pick up an injury, just seeing the way that she carries on and keeps going has been amazing for me to see.
“I did find it a really tough experience, but there’s a great support network that have helped me get through it but also just let me get on with it which is what I needed to do.
“Being back out there for my first 90 was great, I probably got to 80 minutes and thought I couldn’t do it anymore, but it was really pleasing and it means a lot to me.”
On the resilience during a three-game week
“It’s the strongest bench of a team that I’ve ever been a part of.
“When we’ve got a three-game week, to be able to use the players that we have on the bench and the decisions that Macca has to make to pick this team week in week out now is really challenging, it wouldn’t be a position that I would want to be in.
“You look over at the bench and think anybody could replace anybody.
“A massive shoutout to Abi Loydon who hasn’t had the minutes that she probably wanted but has put in two back-to-back performances on both Wednesday night and today, she’s been incredible.
“I think that shows the depth and the challenges that these players have week in week out to really challenge the starting 11 and force their way into the team.”
On facing the Albion at Molineux next Sunday
“It was mentioned at half time that everybody wants to be a part of big games.
“People want to be a part of Burnley, but when you look and break down today and what people have done to put themselves in the position for next week, it’s that identity of hard work and not giving up which is needed when going into next week, not necessarily the occasion.
“It means a lot to all of us in different ways and I’m sure everyone’s families will be there but it’s what the graft is of playing somebody like Loughborough but also then playing West Brom at Molineux, it’s the same game, it’s just another week.”
By Scarlett Lester
