Brislington are currently the best placed side in the South West League Premier Division title chase, so we had a chat about the campaign so far with their captain, Sophie Wilson.
SK: Can you tell us a little of your personal footballing history?
SW: I started playing football when I was about 8 years old, I went training with what was then Bristol Rovers Academy but was too young to actually play games. As well as playing for the same team in Brislington since then, I have also played for Bristol City Academy from Under 10s to Under-14s before they merged the Bristol youth academies. I have been part of Somerset FA representative squads and represented CYP [Clubs for Young People] England twice at Under-16s in the Rose Bowl Tournament.
SK: What team and personal aims/targets did you have for this season?
SW: As a team we set out at the start of the season to aim for promotion, which is still very much so the target. My personal targets, which is probably like most others, is to try and win every game which we take part in.
SK: In what ways have the side improved in its second year at this level?
SW: Coming into the second year at this level, we had more experience and knew what to expect. I think we learned a lot from last season. As a team we are definitely stronger in the mind set we have, we drew and lost too many games last season which we should/could have won due to switching off for a split second and making silly mistakes and conceding. This season we are more aware that every moment can make a difference and we all need to be switched on 100% for the full duration of the game and also take our chances when we get them, as in tough games they may not come very often and it is what could make the difference.
SK: What have been the best and worst moments of 2015-16 so far?
SW: The best moment of the season so far is getting into a cup final. Everyone loves a good cup run and there is nothing like the feeling of a cup final day. The semi-final was a tough game against Marine Plymouth, after going 2-0 up and then them getting back into the game at 2-2 to take it to extra time, it took a lot of determination and fight from the whole team. We always knew it was going to be a hard game, as they are very strong opponents and every player put a massive shift in and it was a great feeling to come away with the win.
The worst moment of the season so far is probably having to have such a massive break in between games due to the weather. We went a couple of months without stepping out onto the pitch, which had a massive impact on us. We were doing well with our performances before the break and it put a stop to our streak. It is always hard to pick up the pace where you left off after not having game time for so long.
SK: Are you expecting the title race to go to the wire?
SW: I do think the title race will be very close all the way through to the end of the season. Already this season the results are mixed up and there isn’t much between the teams. There are a lot of good teams, so it can go either way on a Sunday. I can imagine the race will go right to the wire but it is exciting to see how teams get on every Sunday.
SK: How much of a thrill would it be to join the FA Premier League?
SW: It would be great to join the Premier League, it would be another step up and as a team we always like to push ourselves and come up against higher teams, as players we have always wanted to push on to be the best we can. We know it will be hard but definitely a target we are setting our sights on. For now though, we are just taking each and every game as it comes and trying to win them each Sunday.
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