Women's football news
Written by: Jack
Anyone sat behind the dugouts on Sunday would have seen the huge sigh of relief on the face of Scott Booth when that full-time whistle went to confirm a huge three points.
It’s onto a tricky away tie to Blackburn Rovers now but Scott remains delighted with the tenacity of his side against Sheffield United.
“We look back on a win that we deserved.” Said Scott on reflection.
“Not to say that it was easy at all but the players worked really hard, and they were able to hold out this time.
“I think Sophie made a couple of really good saves but wasn’t troubled too much. It was a much more comfortable defensive display, we made a few changes to how we approached the back line.
“We worked on that quite a bit in the week previous and it was good to see the players take that on board, I think it did help us.
“We were a bit more connected at the back and it meant that through that central part of our defence, it was difficult for [Sheffield United] to penetrate.”
Part of the Rooks strong defensive display was the return of captain, Rhian Cleverly, with Scott calling on her leadership in a big game.
“It was one of the main reasons for bringing Rhi in. We have a strong squad and it’s a fine line for players to either be starting or on the bench.
“She’s been patient, training well, and we just thought that given the importance of the game, and the need for good communication, it was important that the communication element was there and she brought that.”
Maria Farrugia took the headlines with her terrific brace but Scott likes to reinforce the need for a players work rate off the ball.
“Maria worked really hard out of possession as well as her goals, but I thought Reanna did a slightly different role really well.
“There was a lot of emphasis on her doing her out of possession work as well as in possession and she did it so well.
“It’s great for the other players in the side to see a player that’s mostly noted for being a winger, going at defences, to putting herself on the line and make that a big responsibility, and her making that a priority was key for us on Sunday.”
After four games in a row conceding late on, Sunday adds a lot of optimism going into Monday’s encounter up north and Scott has emphasised the need for players to maintain the high standards.
“The momentum is the message to the players now going into Monday. We know that we have to be at our best, fight for everything, every challenge, every header, every tackle, we have to be at it to take three points.
“Blackburn are a tricky team to predict, they changed their formation in the last game and they play a lot in transition, and that’s what makes them difficult to predict.
“They’re built to play off opposition mistakes, they like to force the opposition into making those mistakes with their workrate and pressure.
“They also have players in certain areas that enable them to capitalise on that. So they are a tricky team but it’s a game we can 100% win.”
Our next home game is on Sunday 17 March at 2pm against Watford, in what is another huge match for the Rooks in our battle to fight the drop. You can buy Lewes FC tickets today and secure your place at the game, and perhaps bring your friends and family along and enjoy a VIP beach hut for the day!