England: SSFC Women "buzzing" with Wallsend BC League Cup win

Ava England says that her South Shields Women teammates are “buzzing” with Sunday’s NERWFL League Cup win against Wallsend BC Women.

It was a fairly comfortable game for the Mariners, who took the lead after just eight minutes, and from that point onwards they never surrendered their lead - it finished 3-1.

“It’s always nice to get a win and, overall, I think the girls are buzzing with it,” she said. 

“We worked hard throughout the whole game, even if it was a bit rocky at the beginning of the second-half, but we pushed through and secured the win.”

Getting that early advantage was crucial in terms of maintaining the control of the tie and England stressed the significance of putting themselves ahead so soon.

She added: “I think it’s always good to get an early goal because it leaves you with a bit more confidence, knowing that you’re in the lead at that moment, just need to try and keep that effort up and win. 

“However we know it can go any way in football, so it’s best to push through and not give up.”

Among the main talking points was that Julie Raffel, one of the new South Shields FC Women’s International Academy players, scored her first goals - and her first hat-trick - for the First Team.

She had previously scored four in a game for the South Shields FC Girls Academy, so while she may have been familiar with some high-scoring games, it came as a delight to England and the other lasses to see it being shown at the weekend.

“I’m so happy Julie managed to secure her three goals!” England exclaimed.

“She works hard every single game and session so it was nice for her to get that reward and help us secure the win."

Looking ahead, cup fever returns this Sunday when the lasses host Sunderland West End Ladies in the DCFA Women’s Challenge Cup Quarter-Final.

“I think, overall, the girls are excited for the cup game this weekend,” England shared.

“We’ve had some good runs previously in cups, so we’re looking forward to it and hopefully securing another win!”

Kick-off at Harton Welfare (NE34 0NA) for this weekend’s game will be at 1:30pm - free entry.

Image credit: Craig McNair (@ideventphoto)