Gateshead Ladies manager Carl Morrison feels Sunday’s win at Hartlepool United Women is the most pleased he has been since taking charge.
The Heed recorded their fourth consecutive league win at Grayfields Enclosure following a 4-1 defeat at Spennymoor Town in the Durham County Cup, coming from a goal behind to take three points.
“It was just about getting back out there and being confident,” said Morrison.
“There were a lot of factors in that Spennymoor performance, it was a big occasion and there were a lot of fans there.
“It was a case of bouncing back straight away, we’d lost one game so we had to make sure we didn’t make it two.”
Anna Charlton put the hosts in front with 35 minutes on the clock to leave Gateshead needing to turn the tide at half time, but Jess Richardson’s second half double secured a gutsy victory for Morrison’s side.
“Jess has been first class since we came in,” he added.
“Her quality, work rate and desire has been fantastic so it’s really pleasing to see her get those goals.
“For me, it was the most pleasing performance since I’ve been in the post.
“It was almost a complete performance, the whole starting 11 were fantastic and so were the subs when they came on.
“I felt we were slightly unfortunate to go a goal down, but it didn’t change the way we played at all.
“Everybody was positive at half time and we knew that if we went out and played the same, the next goal would be ours.
“You didn’t see shoulders slump when we went a goal down, everybody was confident in what they were doing and knowing that there was still time to affect the result.
“The half time team talk was really easy because as the girls were coming off the pitch they were saying ‘we’ll get back into this’, and that’s exactly what I was going to say to them.”
Sunday’s win sees The Heed in sixth place in the North East Womens Regional Football League Northern Division, having won four games from five so far this season.
Gateshead return home this Sunday to face third-placed Norton & Stockton Ancients LFC Reserves, and Morrison feels his players will go into the clash with confidence boosted.
“Coming into it from Sunday’s result is big for us confidence wise,” he said.
“We’ve had a few games on the road now so it’s going to be great to be back home.
“We’ll look to go out there, do what we do, and hopefully grab another win.”