Page 14 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.32 2022-23

Leek Town have come through a tough battle in
FAWNL Division One Midlands this season but it has
ultimately proved to be a successful one, thanks to a
good form of form with only one defeat in their last
six games, finishing with an impressive 2-0 win
against high riding Peterborough United.
Katie Gibbons has been an important player for
Leek this season and the winger told us that the win
against Peterborough was proof that they were
capable of beating the teams at the top end of the
table and that, in what has proved to be a very strong
division, they are setting their sights on challenging
for a top half place next time around:
WSS: Congratulations on a fine result
against Peterborough last Sunday, would
that go down as one of your best results of
the season?
KG: It was a great win for us, especially to end the
season on a good note. We just proved to ourselves
we know we are good enough to beat the teams
sitting within the top four of the table on our day so definitely a great win to come away
with.
WSS: You took a lead into half time and got the second early in the second half,
did you always feel confident of winning the game from that point?
KG: I think it was one of those games where both teams had plenty of chances throughout
the game. We went 2-0 up early second half and from then on it was all about us managing
the game and not letting our performance slip. Being 2-0 up at that point really helped us
as a team, we came together, stuck together and saw the three points out together.
WSS: This means that you finished off the season with only one defeat in your
last six matches, and that was to champions Stourbridge. Do you think there
was any particular reason for the upsurge in form?
KG: For us, the last few games were really important. We knew we had to pick up points
where we could and we even picked up points where we didn’t expect to. We had a few words
from our manager and coaches, which I think helped inspire the team. We had a lot to prove
so I think the relegation battle really did help us hit a good run of form, we all knew our
ability and our ability as a team on our day can see us challenge anyone in the league.
WSS: Things had been tight in the lower end of the table for a long part of the
season, but were you always confident that you would keep out of danger?
KG: I mean, the league seemed to be pretty close from bottom to mid-table. We were three
points off finishing sixth so it shows how close it was. We tried not to get too carried away
with ourselves, it’s alright saying on paper we can beat teams but it’s on the day that really
matters. If we don’t put away our chances and we dominate the games in large spells and
the opposition put away one chance, it’s a massive difference between a win and a loss. We
just took each week as it came, our captain Cass was great with the girls on the day, it’s so
easy to get consumed with the occasion and us knowing we needed the points. She spoke to
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk