Everton Ladies boss Andy Spence hailed the togetherness of his players and staff plus those who came and supported his side as the Toffees beat Watford at Goodison.
Sunday saw 872 fans cheer the Blue Girls on to a 4-0 win over the Hornets, with Georgia Brougham, Aileen Whelan, Olivia Chance and Simone Magill all on target.
The result means a point is all Everton need from their final Spring Series game at London Bees to become champions, and Spence was pleased to be able to showcase the evolution of his side on a bigger stage.
“The fans were brilliant and supported us right the way through,” he told evertonfc.com. “As someone pointed out, it was our last home game of the Spring Series so it was great to go over to the fans and thank them at the end. The players wanted to acknowledge them turning out in good numbers throughout the season so far.
“Hopefully we can convert some of those that came along today to long-term fans.
“We wanted to show what Everton Ladies are about at Goodison because we believe we are building something exciting here. But we have to back it up and do it.
“Thankfully today we have done that and I am really proud of the players and every one of the staff. Its been a big team effort and we now concentrate on making sure we are recovered, that training is even better this week and that we put in an even better performance against London Bees on Saturday.”
Spence admitted the occasion of playing at the Grand Old Lady may have affected a first half performance that wasn’t quite up to the standards of recent games, even though Brougham’s header had opened the scoring on 18 minutes.
A much better showing the second period secured the win, and the Toffees boss was happy with the response to his words at the break.
“The messages all week were to treat it like any other game, but in reality it wasn’t given the fact it was at Goodison,” he acknowledged. “Certainly in the first half we were wrapped up in that as opposed to playing our football.
“The players recognised that at half time, which is credit to them, and we got back to our football and what we have excelled at in the last three or four games. We trained unbelievably well in the lead up and I felt today was going to be a good performance. In the second half we did all the things we usually do.
“I was also delighted for the substitutes that came on making a real good impact.
Aileen has scored her first goal for the club, and Olivia has come on and scored again.
“On top of that, Georgia has added another goal for herself and the defence, and Simone has grabbed what is fast becoming a customary goal. I felt the four goals were definitely deserved and with some of the play, it could have been five or six. I am delighted overall with the victory.”