Goalscorer Jaz Elliott-Wood says she “never really forgot” about the team’s heavy defeat to Spennymoor Town Ladies, who they defeated 3-1 on Sunday.
The Mariners made up for the heavy 8-2 loss by securing a win which puts the team within striking distance of Barnsley FC Women, as well as the Moors who sit top.
Elliott-Wood insists that result was on the back of her mind and it served as a good reminder for the side about what it meant to lose by such a big margin, and what it means to turn things around now.
“For me personally it was definitely in the back of my mind and to be honest I never really forgot about it,” she reflected.
“In the changing room before the match we spoke about how it felt to lose like that and that we never want to feel like that again, so we had to go out there and put it right.
“We obviously went out there to win like we would against any team, but when it’s against Spenny it just makes us want to win that much more.”
She opened the scoring for Shields in the seventh minute when her bullet header - assisted by Eve Gatens who struck a wonderful corner - flew into the net.
Elliott-Wood continued: “It's always nice to get on the scoresheet and to have it come from a set piece is even better, as it’s something we’ve been working on defensively as well as offensively.
“I always want to help the team win, whether that’s scoring myself, assisting or even just simply doing my job well.”
That win puts Shields third in the league, just two points behind Spennymoor as well as Barnsley FC, who have played the same number of games as the lasses.
The promotion fight is getting tighter as each week passes and a big sequence of four games in the next fortnight, starting with Wallsend BC Women this Sunday, will settle things once and for all.
She added: “We need to take it each game as it comes, but having a chance at promotion definitely brings a lot more ambition and desire within the team.
“You play in a league with hopes of winning it and that’s been the aim since the start of the season but you can only do that by beating the next opposition.
“Wallsend are also title contenders so it’ll be a tough game as they’ll be up for it too.”
Elliott-Wood finally reserved some special praise for the team, who put in a stellar performance to keep the league’s top scorers at bay.
“I personally just want to mention how proud I am of the whole team,” she said.
“Every single player played their part and we absolutely deserved that win.
“We stuck to the game plan, we gave it 110% and brought energy all over the pitch.
“We were together through thick and thin and it definitely showed - it’s a privilege to play for this team!”
As mentioned, the lasses face Wallsend BC this Sunday (April 28th) and the game will be held at 1st Cloud Arena.
Instead of an admission fee, we would like supporters to make a donation towards Children's Cancer North, via Arthur's New Land Mariners Marathon.
Follow the club's social media channels for any changes or updates ahead of the match.