Page 30 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.13 2022-23

stand, I had no hard pressure from behind so I
knew if I took a touch inside and could get a shot
off, hopefully it would test the keeper, and it went
one better and flew straight in! After that, there
was only one way I was celebrating it and that was
with a knee slide!
WSS: What was it like in the last few
minutes, were you put under pressure by
Barnsley?
GG: At no point in the game did we feel under high
pressure, we knew the clock was running down,
very slowly, but we controlled that pressure well,
we have done a lot of work on our game
management, when being a head, seeing the game
out to guarantee the result. So as a team it was
great for us to be able to remain focused right to the final whistle.
WSS: Do you think that the attendance on Sunday, and for other home
games, demonstrates the potential that there is at Newcastle?
GG: Definitely, there is massive potential at Newcastle, to see the fans coming back again
and again, hitting around 2,000 fans consistently at our home games this season has
been inspiring. Over 22,000 the first time and over 28,000 last Sunday to watch Tier 4
football shows just what direction the club and the women’s team are going in. Fans are
seeing what they want to see, a team with passion, commitment, and the determination
to do well. We know where we want to get to and have the support and ambition from
Amanda and Mehrdad, which we all massively appreciate.
WSS: You now have another home match in the Third Round against
Wolves, what do you feel about the prospects of playing them?
GG: We are looking forward to it. We know it will be a tough game, they are top of the
league above, but it is the FA Cup, anything can happen! We have momentum behind us,
we have had a number of really good results, not losing since mid-October. I have every
bit of confidence in us that we can make it hard for Wolves and get ourselves into the next
round.
WSS: Meanwhile in the league, you are just one point off the pace,
presumably promotion is the main aim for the club?
GG: Promotion has been our aim since the start of the season, it was one of the targets
we set out to achieve. We know we need to remain consistent in our performances and
results in order to achieve it, but it is certainly do able and something that we will be
working towards game by game each week.
WSS: Can you see the title race in your division staying a close one
throughout the season?
GG: The standard of our league gets higher every season. There are some really good
teams and individuals who have a lot of experiences. As well as the new younger players
that are coming through. It certainly won’t be a runaway season for anyone but
hopefully after a few more wins we can get ourselves on top and remain there for the rest
of the season!
Our thanks to Georgia!
Photos courtesy of Newcastle United FC
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk