Lucy Swift was pleased to contribute to the women’s team’s fine continued run of form with all five goals in a resounding win against Chorley Women’s Development but has been equally pleased to see their efforts in training paying off more and more on matchday.
Swift made it five wins out six for the Lilywhites as she scored two in the first half to turn the score around, with the hosts having gone a goal down early on, and she helped herself to three more goals in the second half to claim a 5-2 win.
Swift has carried a goal threat throughout the campaign but was moving back into a more attacking role against Chorley having become more accustomed to playing out wide.
She said: “Overall I think the game went really well for us. We started out a bit slower than we would have liked but we definitely grew into the game as it went on. We had some really good spells of passing the ball around and drawing their team out of position.“
“It was a physical game from the start but we knew that would be the case so we dug deep and did what we needed to do as a unit to secure the win.
“For me it’s been so much fun to not only get the results we have been but to also see how our hard work behind-the-scenes has paid off for us. We continue to grow each week and improve as a collective unit as we strive towards a strong finish to the season.”
Swift said she wouldn’t be taking all the glory despite it being her goals which led to the win.
“Yes, I managed to score the goals but I can’t take all the credit as we had some excellent lead-up play moving the ball well and working together.
“In all honesty I can’t remember the goals but it’s been a while since I’ve been in this form in front of goal and scored so many goals in a single game!
“Chorley played a high line which myself and my team-mates figured out how to play against and use it to our advantage. We moved the ball around well waiting for the right moment to play the through ball or the ball over the top for the likes of myself to run onto.
“Thankfully it worked out perfectly for us and I could find the back of the net five times. There could have been a few more but I’m beyond happy with the chances I put away for my team to get us the win.”
It’s been a fine start to 2022 for the women’s team, with their unbeaten run stretching back to their last game of last year.
They’ve registered wins against Accrington Stanley, Carlisle United, Morecambe, the previously unbeaten Haslingden and now Chorley Development this year.
And while Swift is of course hoping for that form to continue, she is also hopeful that it can prove to other sides in the division that they mean business.
“Obviously, we want to continue with our unbeaten streak and the last few weeks and results have shown just how well we can play. It’s also shown other teams that we are not an easy game that they can just walk away with points from.”