Forest Green Rovers Women’s captain Hattie Jones, who returned to the squad this week after missing their last game, netted a hat-trick as the away side triumphed 7-0 over Marine Academy Plymouth on Sunday. The other goals came from Zoe Boyd, Faith Pound, Louise Fensome and Charlie Rowlands.
In what was a largely one-sided affair, Marine Academy struggled to deal with Rovers’ ability going forward. Jones now has an impressive 14 league goals on the season from midfield.
“This one feels good!” said Jones. “Scoring goals isn’t something I’ve always done in my career so it’s nice to have started adding that to my game this season.
“I obviously couldn’t have done it without the passing from my teammates today and their support, and getting that win is so important confidence-wise going forward for the last few games of the season.”
It was a much needed victory for FGR, who were without a win in their last four before the game. The three points bolstered their hopes for a top-half finish in the South West Regional Women’s Football League. It also meant that they leapfrogged Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies and moved into fifth place.
“It’s one of the first times we’ve put together two really solid halves of football,” claimed manager Tom Needham. “There’s been lots of games where we’ve only been good in parts, so it was great to put a full one together today.
“For Hattie to score the goal she did to break the deadlock was massive, from there the momentum was with us and we were able to build on that.
“When I took over (as manager) one of the main aims was to finish in the top half so it’s great to be there now. It would be a great achievement to stay there seeing as it’s our first season in this division.”
Rovers will next face a tough match against undefeated Ilminster Town Ladies on Sunday, April 3 at home in their penultimate game of the season.
