The Wiltshire side will book their place in the second round of the FA Women’s National League Cup by beating Division One South East side Actonians, continuing their impressive form, learning from last year’s exit in this competition an experience manager Richard Wood was keen to learn from.
“We had a similar start in the league last year, and then in the League Cup competition, we went to QPR, everybody was probably a bit overconfident and complacent, and we didn’t turn up for the fight and we ended up losing 2-0, in my opinion, we gave it up really easy.
“Being unbeaten like we are, it’s something that we should fight for every single game, it’s something that I value a lot and the players should value and they acted like it today, I’m really pleased, I told them that afterward we’re unbeaten for a reason and that’s something that I’d expect them to defend every game.”
Forwards Annie Colston and Libby Davies once again got on the scoresheet, receiving praise from their manager.
“I think both of them could have got a brace, I would say, I think they both had some good chances, they were good headed goals from both of them as well, and for them both to get on the score sheet with their head is a great thing.”
As well as the Reds forwards continuing their impressive run of form, Town would be boosted by their defence, getting their fourth clean sheet of the season with defender Charlie Taylor playing a pivotal role so far this season expressing her delight at another clean sheet.
“It’s really nice, especially for Coxy [Hannah Cox] as well, she made some great saves today, she did really well and it’s a really good feeling.”
With Town already in a fine run of form, they’ve been boosted by the return of full-back Katie Sherwood who suffered a torn meniscus in February of last year, with the defender coming off the bench in the Reds 8-0 victory over Plympton Ladies in the FA Cup and would make her first start since, on Sunday impressing Richard Wood on the side-lines.
“It’s not easy coming back, as she has done in such a long time, putting all the work in, then there’s that whole aspect of confidence, knowing that you’re ready to play at this level.
“She’s been training really well, she’s a great trainer so, at this level, to come in and step into a game that’s going to be competitive, it’s wet, it’s physical, all of the things that if you’ve had a long-term injury, you’re probably not looking to face, but it’s part of football and she needs to do that.
“She was very authoritative right from the start her first pass was crisp, right into Annie [Colston], and she just stepped on from there, I thought she did really well and we’re all really pleased for her and it’s great for us because it just means that competition for places steps up another notch.”
Town now look ahead to the first round of the FA Cup as they welcome Dulwich Hamlet to the Nigel Eady County Ground, before travelling to Bristol Rovers for a top of the table clash.
