Kayley: "It's great to be back playing competitive football!"

The ladies took on Nelson Ladies in their first cup game. A tough game for the ladies but grit and determination helped them seal the win and run out 3-4 winners! Manager Elle Kayley provides her thoughts after today's game.

"First of all, it was great to be back playing competitive football. I know I can speak on behalf of the whole squad when I say we have missed the game and everyone is just excited to be back, even if it is just for the cup!

After playing Nelson Ladies last week in a fiesty friendly, we knew it was going to be a tough game, but the ladies came out of the blocks fighting.

Our first half performance was incredible, every player on the pitch put their all into the game and the first goal was a brilliant finish by Jayde Clegg, after a well timed through ball from Captain Keara McDonough. After that, our confidence just soared and this lead to more goals from Hannah Thompson, Emily Mortimore and Keara. The fourth goal inparticular was a brilliant piece of play as the passing and movement that built towards the goal was great, and then a calm finish from a header from Keara.

Late on in the first half Nelson scored a goal, which gave them a boost and they came back fighting in the second half. They put up an incredible battle and as the game went on there were chances created from both teams but Nelson scored a couple of goals, and their 3rd goal was scored with 5 minutes to go. This lead to a nervous ending as Nelson were firing everything at us however, Joey's remained calm and composed and we won the game, which I thought was a deserved victory.

Full credit to both teams though, as it was a great game of football and we wish all the best to Nelson Ladies for the rest of the tournemount.

I'd like to say a big well done to the ladies, as I personally thought each player went to the next level to dig in and get the win. Considering we have only played one friendly previously in the last 5 months, they all really were a credit to themselves and the team.

This is just the start and we can't wait for the next game already!"

Next week the ladies take on Penwortham Ladies Reserves away, venue TBC. KO 2pm.

Turner: "We were determined to get the 3 points!"

This week the ladies took on Blackburn Community Reserves on a wet and windy Sunday afternoon. The game was close but St Josephs Ladies came away 4-3 winners! With 3 games and 3 wins under their belts, defender Lauren Turner provides us with her post match thoughts.

"Well we did it again!! We won the game after going behind! We don’t make it easy for ourselves, but we dig deep week in, week out, and work hard at training and we get the results.

Our game was rearranged due to bad weather and we ended up playing away at Queggs, and to our surprise the pitch was in good shape! We started off with a strong 11 and 4 subs on the bench, but it wasn’t long before we were 1-0 down. I think we ended up going behind because we got a bit panicked in the first 10 minutes pinging the ball and not passing, but then we settled down and we managed to make it 1-1 with a fantastic goal from Jade Elliot!

With it being so wet and windy it was hard to keep the ball and although I felt we were playing the better football, we conceded a second goal. We didn't let this get us down though and kept pushing. Eventually a cracking header from our Captain Keara put us level again at 2-2!

Our team talk at half time was very positive, and the girls spirits were high going back out for the second half. We started well but unfortunately BCSC broke through to score a 3rd goal. Our manager Elle made some strategic changes after this and I moved to right wing and Hannah Thompson took my place as right back.

We carried on pressing forward and their keeper made a mistake, thankfully Katie Holbrook had followed the ball through and managed to regain possession and pass it back to me. I hit it and to my surprise it went over their keeper and in the net!! To score my first league goal and bring us back level was a feeling I’ve never felt before! As a team we were over the moon and even more determined to get the 3 points!

We stayed positive and dug deep but played a few silly balls over the top which were wasted chances. After a few words from our Captain we calmed down and regained our composure. We kept working hard and got a break through and I had a second shot on target which the keeper saved but pushed out to Nadian Mason who bagged us the winner (4-3)!!

That feeling was incredible! I love how we all battled for each other and kept so positive on the pitch. That’s one of the reasons I love this club and team! We play together; win, lose, draw together, we are so supportive of each other and that’s what I love! To score my first goal and for us to win the 3 points was amazing, especially after hearing the news of a second lock down! Hopefully we can remain training and playing as we have just got going and are doing so well! It would be a shame for us to have stop now".

Next week the ladies are due to play AFC Darwin Ladies however, depending on guidance from the FA this could change. Please keep an eye on our social media pages for updates!

Mcdonough: "What a start to the season!"

The ladies took on Barrowford Celtic Ladies in their first league game of the season, which saw them seal their first win at home running out 4-3 winners in a tightly fought game. Captain Keara Mcdonough provides her post match thoughts on the game.

"What a start to the season! The girls have been looking forward to the league getting underway and what a way to kick off the campaign! The game had a bit of everything... frustration, drama, goals, penalties and some dubious decisions!

I am incredibly proud of all the girls today who dug deep to get the result. We started poorly and found ourselves 3-1 down at half time. We knew that we could perform much better and that our game lacked tempo and aggression, but we discussed the issues during the half time break and went into the second half fighting. The second half we performed much better and created numerous chances and went 4-3 up with 10 minutes left in the game. The girls dug deep and kept the defence tight to ensure the win.

This is what is so special about this group, we fight for each other and leave everything on the pitch. We had 11 players today due to a few of our girls needing to self-isolate. We had to adapt to this scenario and play some people out of position, and the girls were a credit to the club - no one complained, they just accepted it and worked hard.

It’s so refreshing to be back playing and enjoying football again. As a group, we have experienced some tough times and dark moments, but we have trained hard, worked on a new formation and a new style of play and we can now see the benefits. I’m already looking forward to our game next weekend!

I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to our match kit sponsor Limitless Digital Solutions. Today was the first time we played in our new kit, and it looks fantastic!"