Page 14 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.7 2022-23

Sporting Khalsa have started this season well and on
Sunday, they went through to the First Round of the
Vitality Women’s FA Cup with a 3-0 win against Leek
Town.
Becky Hall scored the opening goal for Khalsa on
Sunday and she told us that the team being more
clinical in the second half made the difference and that
they are looking to build on their campaign last season:
WSS: Well done on a good in the Cup on
Sunday, how pleased were you with the way
the team played on the day?
BH: It was great to get the win and progress to the
next round. It was good to bounce back from the
previous week’s defeat and put in a professional
performance against a decent side in Leek.
WSS: All three goals came in the second half, was it a case of staying patient or
was the game even up until that point?
BH: A bit of both! Both teams cancelled each other out in the first half and it was a bit scrappy.
The difference in the second half was that we created better opportunities and were clinical.
Also we defended well and the defensive unit were delighted with the clean sheet!
WSS: How important was it to bounce back from defeat the previous Sunday,
and especially against a Leek side who are capable of giving the top teams a
good game?
BH: It was crucial to get back to winning ways as we’d been on a decent run up until the
Donny defeat. It shows the character of the group to bounce back positively, especially
against a good side like Leek.
WSS: The First Round draw has handed you a home tie with Boldmere St
Michaels from the league above, what are your thoughts on that?
BH: It’s always good to test yourself against teams from higher leagues as ultimately that’s
where we want to be. As a team, we’ve worked hard in training and have prepared as best we
can for what will be a tough game.
WSS: In the meantime it's the League Plate this week and you are at home
to...Boldmere St Michaels! In many ways, will the pressure be off the team you
will go into the game as underdogs?
BH: From the outside, people will look at it like that. We’ll go in confident in what we do and
anything can happen in cup competitions as they’re one-off games. Boldmere have had a
couple of positive results lately so we’re well aware of the challenge we’re up against.
WSS: It's been a good start to the season for Sporting Khalsa and you have four
wins in your last five games, do you feel that the squad is stronger than last
season and how have the new signings bedded in?
BH: It’s hard for me to talk about last season having only joined in the summer. What I can
say is that we have a really good group who give their all every game. Plenty of experience
has been added to the squad which has been complimented by some exciting young players.
There’s a good balance in the squad.
WSS: What would you say would be a good season for Sporting Khalsa, what
are the team's aims?
BH: An improvement on where the team finished last season in terms of points gained and
league position is target number one. Progressing as far as we can in the cup competitions is
also something we’re aiming for.
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