United Women boss Liam Gilbert returned from Kent happy with The U’s' 1-0 victory against Gillingham to start the new Women’s National League season on the front foot last weekend.
“It’s always nice to start the season with three points and a clean sheet, so we would have taken that at the start of the day. It was a good test and it was good to see us hold out. I don’t think we were tremendously troubled at times, but we looked strong, we looked compact and we looked organised which was good.”
Speaking about Carly Johns’ match-winning goal, Liam said, “There was a bit of a ricochet, the ball was bouncing around in the six yard box, but there was a good bit of composure and she took a touch and stuck the ball into the roof of the net.”
Goalscorer Johns also added: “My first goal of the season, it was great to get the team going. The first goal of many to come I hope. Gillingham were very direct, so we had to keep concentrating at the back, but we just had to find those gaps going forwards and we did.”
Debutant Emily Wallace had to make a fine block in the latter stages of the game to retain United’s lead, and said: “I think I just had to block it, there was nothing else I could do, I don’t think, just to get contact.
“It was good to get the three points in the first game and to get a clean sheet. Good start to the season, I don’t think we could have wanted much more from that.”
Now United continue their National League campaign at Watford this weekend, a game which Manager Liam Gilbert appreciates will be a good contest.
“We know that Watford over the last few years have been a strong team, they have some very good players, but we will go and prepare this week as we normally will and hopefully we can go there and get a result.”