Dominique Bruinenberg hopes to help the Toffees build on their recent victory over Reading after making her first start for Everton.
The Dutch midfielder, signed from Sunderland in the summer, was given her debut off the bench in the Continental Cup tie at Durham back in late August and made a late cameo in the WSL defeat at Birmingham prior to Sunday’s meeting with the Royals.
She was handed a place in the starting line-up for the Continental Cup clash with the Berkshire-based outfit at Southport’s Merseyrail Community Stadium and helped the Blue Girls pick up their first three points of the campaign with a 3-2 success.
Now she has her sights set on keeping her place in the starting line-up for big league games against Manchester City (Thursday, 7pm) and Chelsea (Sunday, 2pm).
“I loved it,” she said. “I have worked hard to get into the starting line-up and to do that and come away with a win was amazing.
“It was hard work but we stuck in and gave it our all. We were on the front foot, winning all the second balls and we just knew it was coming. I thought we were fantastic on Sunday.
“It felt so good to win. Definitely after losing our first two games it feels fantastic to go into Thursday off the back of a win.
“I have kept working hard this week because it’s a big few days with three games. I thought I played well and it felt great to contribute to a win.
“We have that victory now, it feels amazing and hopefully we can build on the Reading result in the next two games.”
Bruinenberg played a part in Everton’s opener against the Royals, her quick feet and pass allowing Claudia Walker to fire past keeper Rachael Laws for her first goal since returning from a serious hamstring injury.
The 25-year-old was also delighted to see compatriot Inessa Kaagman open her account since her own summer arrival from Ajax as she lobbed Laws for the game’s winner in the second half.
“It is definitely nice to get an assist,” she added. “It happened quite quickly but I’ve taken a touch, got around the defender then played a little disguised pass into Claudia and her finish was very good.
“I was so pleased for her to score. She has worked so hard to get back to full fitness and she has been so focussed. I’m so happy she got the two goals.
“And Inessa’s was a great strike. But we all know she can do that type of thing. It is fantastic to have her in the team. That goal has given her a big lift.”
Tickets are still available for Everton’s WSL clash with Manchester City at the Merseyrail Community Stadium on Thursday night, kick-off 7pm.
