Spence Delighted After Game Of Two HalvesEverton Ladies Head Coach Andy Spence praised his side’s second half reaction after the Blue Girls came from behind to beat Bristol City 3-1 at the Marine Travel Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The Toffees booked their place in the fifth round thanks to a Georgia Brougham header in between Olivia Chance’s brace, with Chloe Arthur opening the scoring for the visitors.
Speaking after the final whistle, Spence was complimentary of the Toffees’ mentality to come back from an under par first half.
“The girls have to take the credit because they fixed it,” he said. “The staff can give them as many messages as we want but the players have to take it on the shoulders, get their chins up and do what they did.
“That tells me I have got a team who are definitely going in the right direction and we are delighted to be in the next round.
“We knew Bristol would carry a big threat. They are a good side. We have come off the back of a good performance against Chelsea, and we went back to the qualities that I know we have.
“However, in the first half, Bristol were the better side. We didn’t get going. They played well but we came away from our checklist of qualities - on the ball and off it we didn’t hit our normal levels.
“We needed half time. City didn’t create loads of chances but to go in at 1-0 down was an important factor. In the second half, the girls listened to the messages at the break and they went out and applied themselves and we ran out deserved winners.
“The crowd were great today but you have to deal with expectation. They have come here to watch Everton win and our job from staff to players is win football games. I reminded them of that and fair play to the girls, they were excellent in the second half.”
Spence handed Kirstie Levell a start at the expense of Lizzie Durack and the young keeper made a number of telling saves to keep Everton in the contest.
Not the prettiest game today but good teams find a way to win and most importantly we are in the hat for next round! Shout to @livvychance and @georgiabrougham for popping up with the goals and a huge thank you to the the fans too making it a great atmosphere ⚽️🔵
But it was match-winner Chance who earned the plaudits from her coach after her double secured victory.
“I am delighted for Livvy,” he added. “She has waited a long, long time for her opportunity and has scored two goals. Her work rate away from the ball was excellent for us.
“Liv is a really good player and when she is on top of her game, she can do that. She, and the team, weren’t quite at it in the first half but second half, she makes forward runs and is really combative in midfield, so she has both sides to her game.
“She is prepared to do the dirty work but also has the quality to finish off a move. We saw that and I am genuinely pleased for her. The chance has come and at this level you have to take it, and she has done that.
“I should mention Kirstie saves. There was one in particular that was an unbelievable stop and it kept us in the game. Those things matter, and I am delighted for those girls who have come in and taken opportunities.”
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