Page 14 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.4 2022-23

After spending all of last season in the top half of
FAWNL Division One South East, it has been a
difficult start fixture-wise for Actonians but last
Sunday’s 3-0 win away to Ashford Town
(Middlesex) was an indicator that the team is
returning to its best form.
Actonians captain Naomi Graham was
delighted with the way the team played on Sunday
but also feels that there is plenty to build on as
they look to move their way up the table:
WSS: well done on your first league win of
the season on Sunday, how well do you
think the team played on the day?
NG: Thanks! Overall we played well and I’m
happy with our performance - we took our chances and kept a clean sheet.
WSS: What were your overriding emotions afterwards, joy or relief?
NG: I was happy but I don’t like to get too carried away, especially when I know we
haven’t been doing as well as we can do. We know we can compete with all the teams in
our league and Sunday was much closer to the standard we expect from ourselves. It was
important to get that first win but it’s only one game and there’s plenty more work to do.
WSS: How big a confidence boost was the League Cup win against Cambridge
City the previous week?
NG: I’d say it was a big confidence boost and it helped to lay the foundations for beating
Ashford on Sunday.
WSS: It has been a tough start in the league for the team this season, having
played away to three of the current top four, but how had the team been
performing in those games?
NG: We had some spells of good play and dominated at times but we didn’t take our
chances and we were punished for our mistakes.
WSS: How was the summer overall for the club, were there many arrivals or
departures?
NG: We said goodbye to quite a few players but we’ve had plenty of new additions too and
now there’s competition in every position. It’s not easy attracting players to a lesser
known club like Actonians but it also means those who do join us have the right attitude
and fit in really easily.
WSS: What do you think realistically would be a good season for Actonians?
NG: We know our targets - so getting as close as possible to those.
WSS: The title race is already shaping up to be a good one, who would you see
as the favourites?
NG: I’m not sure I see anyone as favourites, this league always throws up curve balls and
anyone can disrupt the path to promotion!
Our thanks to Naomi!
Photo by Ryan Asman
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk