Phelan's Programme Notes For Charlton Clash

Good afternoon and welcome to Goodison Park for our WSL clash with Charlton Athletic.

We are all so excited to be back at our home today – your support during our inaugural season at the Grand Old Lady was brilliant and only makes us even more optimistic about what we can reward you with this term.

I would like to start by congratulating Club captain Megan Finnigan on the milestones she has surpassed recently. Despite not featuring last year, Meg was crucial to our upturn in form and maintained her importance as captain throughout.

She returned to the pitch in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Burnley last month, which was a proud moment for her and also all of us. Courtney and Meg both spoke in the post-match huddle, ensuring we celebrated her achievement.

Then, Meg was named amongst the substitutes during our season opener away at Crystal Palace. We are delighted she is back in the matchday squad and strengthening our backline.

We did not perform to our standards against the Eagles, though. We discussed the importance of beginning the season on the right foot, but unfortunately failed to do so on the opening day.

We fell behind in the first-half and reacted well, with Zara rattling the woodwork on the stroke of half time. However, we ultimately did not create enough to make that vital breakthrough.

Ornella and Ruby both saw efforts cleared off the line late on, with the South Londoners’ heroic defending earning them the three points.

The quick turnaround presents us with a golden opportunity to put things right this afternoon. The squad have gelled further, with us now being able to put that defeat behind us.

We are wary of the challenge that Charlton possess – they are also a newly-promoted side and will be looking to bounce back from an opening day defeat. We must evidence our quality today and start strongly on home soil.

We definitely possess that quality, with a host of new signings bolstering us over the summer, alongside long-serving players extending their contracts with the Club.

Get behind the girls today and let’s start in winning ways at this amazing stadium we call home.

Enjoy the game,

Scott