Albion Women head coach Siobhan Hodgetts-Still believes her players' "application" proved pivotal in their 3-2 FAWNL win over Halifax on Sunday.
Fran Orthodoxou, Rhianne Oakley and Simran Jhamat were all on target during what was a battling display at the Global Stadium.
Despite netting three times, it was the grit and determination of the team that impressed Hodgetts-Still on a freezing cold day in Tadcaster.
"I can never question the players’ application and commitment to the game," Hodgetts-Still said. "Their attitude was great today, and they always give everything on the pitch.
"It was a different kind of game for us on a grass pitch, and I thought the girls adapted to that well. Sometimes it just comes down to the quality, and decision-making in the game too.
"In the first half I thought we were very good. I thought we dominated, we had a lot of the ball, had a lot of possession and created some really good chances.
"We probably could’ve been a few more goals up at half-time. Second half, I think Halifax probably got a bit of a foothold in the game, they made it hard for us and got forwards more.
"In the first 15 minutes of the second half, we could’ve put ourselves further ahead if we were more clinical.
"We have to take the positives from the game today into next week. When teams are pressing us, we need to manage the game better."
Second-half substitute Marli Rhodes-Andrews agrees and believes that determination in the squad is fuelled by competition for places.
“I thought we did really well, they were going to come at us and make it a tough game,” Rhodes-Andrews said. “They want to get every point they possibly can – but so do we.
“I thought as much as they tried to be direct, we tried to play our football as well. We’ve got a lot of options, everyone wants to play as many minutes as they can.
“We’re all pushing each other, whether you’re coming in from the start or off the bench. Everyone always knows that we’re in it together and we’re working to be competitive.”
The Baggies are set to host Liverpool Feds at the Valley Stadium next weekend, which Hodgetts-Still has branded as another stern test.
She said: “I think we can take a lot of positives today, from having little of the ball last week against United, to this week having a lot of it. It’s about getting back into training and working on those in possession moments that can go and get us some goals.
“Liverpool Feds will provide quality and a stern test. We’ll look at how we can get a result against them and work to improve on today.”
