We spoke with Newcastle United’s Ellie Dobson, after the long trip to beat Gillingham in the FAWPL Plate last weekend and before going back to Kent this Sunday to face Charlton in the FA Cup.
SK: It was a tough quarter-final draw, away to a promotion-chasing side wasn’t it?
ED: Yes, Gillingham were a really good side and set up really well. The conditions were tough in a really boggy pitch but we all turned up on the day and got the result we needed
SK: What were the feelings at half-time after a goalless 45 minutes?
ED: There was quite a slope to the pitch and we were uphill with the wind against us in the first half but the performance we gave was really promising and we created the majority of the chances in the game. So we knew we just had to be patient in the second half and the goals would come.
SK: Was there a difference to the second-half performance, with the three unanswered goals?
ED: Obviously we were more clinical with our chances but I think we also pressed a lot higher in the second half and ultimately this helped us create more opportunities
SK: How did such a long journey effect your weekend and what was the timeline like?
ED: It was a fun weekend away with everyone! We set off from Newcastle at 1:30 and arrived on our little minibus at about 8 o’clock ish I think! We then dumped our bags in our rooms and went for an evening meal. Then we all congregated in someone’s room and just chilled, chatted and spoke about the game and went over how we should set up from corners, free kicks etc. In the morning we went for a short walk at around 10:30 and had a pre-match meal at 11am then headed over to the game. We were really up for this game especially after such a long journey!!!
Photo: jamesprickett.co.uk
SK: What do you think to the potential semi-final opponents and have you any preferences?
ED: A home draw would be fantastic! We have played Loughborough Foxes before, so if they manage a win then I think they would be a good draw for us.
SK: Are you looking forward to the challenge of visiting Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup?
ED: Charlton are a very strong side and this game will be a challenge for us. But if we prep right like we did last week and our attitudes are the same, we have a great chance of coming away with a result!
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