16-year-old Albion Women’s player Lucy Davies has described the moment she netted her first ever senior goal as “unreal”.
The academy graduate - who was promoted to Siobhan Hodgetts-Still’s squad for the 2024/25 season - scored the Baggies’ fifth in a fantastic 5-0 win over Stourbridge on Wednesday night.
Davies was introduced as a second-half substitute during the Black Country clash, playing the final 20 minutes.
And after the game she couldn’t hide her delight.
“It’s unreal,” said Lucy. “Just getting on, playing 20 minutes, and scoring my first goal with my favourite team. Honestly, it’s the best feeling I’ve had.
“I was happy to just be on the bench really, but it feels great to get even 20 minutes.
“Being 16 having come up through the academy since I was nine, just being here with the group is an unreal experience for me.
“I want to keep pushing, proving myself, and hopefully one day soon I can make it into that first team.”
Head Coach Hodgetts-Still also beamed with pride following Davies’ magical moment, and heaped praise on her team for their five-star showing at the Valley Stadium.
“It was a really pleasing performance,” added the boss. “I thought we dominated the game throughout.
“We were clinical in front of goal, which I loved to see, and we could’ve maybe nicked one or two more. I’m happy, the squad are happy, so we are looking forward to taking that confidence into the cup game this weekend.
“I’m pleased for both first-time scorers, Lucy and Ellie May. Ellie’s attitude since she’s been with us has been brilliant, she always works hard in training and she’s been patiently waiting for her chance. She was deserving of those two goals, they were excellent finishes.
“Lucy’s was a little bit of a proud moment, because she’s been in our system since she was an under-9. To see her development and loyalty to the club as a 16-year-old and getting her first goal, it was really special. You could see what it meant to her and the bench.”
May, scorer of a brace in the Stourbridge victory, agreed with her gaffer’s assessment.
“I’m really happy with the performance both personally and as a team,” said Ellie. “I thought we gelled really well.
“I’m buzzing with my goals and I’m happy that we’ve got three points, that’s the main thing.
"Everyone put a shift in, including those that came on from the bench. They all kept digging and trying to add to the score right up to the end, so I’m proud of everyone.
“It’s something to build on. We’ve got a cup game next so hopefully we can build momentum and take it into the league the following week.
“All the girls are lovely, the management is class. We’ve got something good here, there’s a really positive vibe around the camp and we’re excited to see what’s to come this season.”