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Women's Team midfielder Rebecca Foster happy with Reds' "progress" in early weeks of season

Nearly a month after the season got underway, FC United Women have two league wins from two in their new league division and are one win away from a FA Cup First Round berth. Midfielder Rebecca Foster has been instrumental to United’s strong start and has been impressed with how the Reds have risen to the challenge.

"The start of the season has been just what’s expected for me. Our mentality is to always win, something we did last year and something we want to continue to do this year. We knew this year would be tougher than last year but every player wanted that so it’s something we look forward to", Foster said.

The latest of those tests came in the form of Merseyrail Ladies, last weekend, who the Reds had to come from behind against to defeat at Broadhurst Park. The Reds got the three points but Foster knows that the win could have more long term positives for the side. "Last weekend was good for us, it was good to see how we dealt with the challenge we faced at half time. It was good to show other teams the character we actually have to come back, something we don’t show often because it isn’t a situation we face usually. I have a feeling last weekend’s win against Merseyrail will prove to be a vital win for us, if not points wise but definitely for our team mentality as it proves to ourselves that when the going gets tough, we can all come together, play the football we know and come back."

Having scored four second half goals to win the game, FC went into the break behind and Foster admits that manager Luke Podmore’s half time team talk was pivotal to the turnaround. "The whistle came at a good time for us at half time because we needed that extra guidance from Luke [Podmore]. Luke first of all filled us with confidence, saying that we are good enough to come back but then also made us aware of some tactical changes that needed to happen. After hearing what Luke said, we were ready to go back out and put right what happened in the first half. When the second goal went in, it was such a good feeling and I can imagine it was good for Luke to see the way we reacted and acted upon what he asked."

Foster’s central midfield partner Olivia Greenhalgh has also flourished in the Reds’ strong early season start, picking up two Player of the Match awards in the first four games of the season. Foster has been delighted to see Greenhalgh’s form and admits that United’s no.4 is key to wins like that of last Sunday. "What more can I say about Liv G, in games like last weekend, every team needs a player like Liv [Greenhalgh]. She is such an important player in them situations and is the first player to dig in deep and put in vital challenges. This is my second season playing alongside Liv in there and our partnership gets stronger with each game. I learn so much from Liv, her vision to play a pass and her defensive work is great to learn from."

Foster has been a central figure in United’s good start to the season, the midfielder puts it down to a lot of hard work off the pitch. "I am working hard outside of training to try and improve my game and my fitness levels, I feel that this has benefited me. Both myself and Liv have had a conversation about trying to be more attacking this season, with Frankie [Sullivan] leaving us in midfield and being so clinical in-front of goal, its important that someone fills that role. This is an area myself and Liv are working hard on in training."

Tomorrow sees a return to the SSE Women’s FA Cup for the Reds and a first game in the competition at Broadhurst Park, this season. Bridlington Rovers LFC are the visitors and a win will see the Reds book their place in the First Round proper of the competition for the first time in the history of the club. Foster is excited for the test that games like tomorrow’s will bring. "Before every FA Cup game I say how special it is to be playing in such a momentous competition, a competition I will never take for granted. We have already done better than last year but as a team who wants to go places, every win in the FA Cup shows other teams how much we have progressed from last year and I hope we can progress and play teams in higher leagues which will be a great opportunity and test."

The atmosphere at Broadhurst Park last weekend was certainly a memorable one, Foster is massively thankful for the support and insists that it is a joy to play for the fans every week. "I absolutely love the fans, when we walk out at Broadhurst Park and they start singing it’s always so overwhelming. The fans are like our 12th player and this is something we needed last weekend, when the fans get behind you, you know you aren’t only playing for your teammates and manager, but also the fans. The fans make playing at this club extra special and I thank them for that."

You can see Rebecca Foster and her teammates play for a place in the First Round of the 2018-19 SSE Women’s FA Cup when Bridlington Rovers LFC make the trip to Broadhurst Park, tomorrow, 2pm KO.

By Mikey Partington


First Posted ~ 20:30 Sat 6 Oct 2018
News ID ~ 8076
Last Updated ~ 22:45 Thu 4 Feb 2021