Northampton Town Women joint-managers Josh Oldfield and Liam Williams were impressed with their side’s 6-2 win at home to East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Division One Central outfit Dronfield Town on Sunday afternoon.
Abbie Reboul and Kim Farrow scored two each, whilst Alex Dicks and Gracie Williams scored the Cobblers’ other goals as they progressed to the second round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.
Williams was pleased that he was able to rely upon some younger members of the squad during the first round tie.
“I thought we were really good today and the girls can take a lot of confidence from the way they played,” he said.
“We were a little untidy in the first half but we corrected that in the second, but ultimately it’s a cup game and winning is all that matters.
“We spoke to the girls afterwards about being more ruthless, because although we won comfortably we didn’t make the most of all our chances.
“We’re fortunate to have a large squad with lots of depth.
“We’re very conscious of the need to give our promising young players minutes.
“We were able to do that today, but not just for the sake of it because the girls have earned it in training.”
Oldfield praised his opposition for making the game a proper cup tie.
“Fair play to Dronfield because they were at 100% for 90 minutes,” he added.
“They made a contest of it, never gave up and made it difficult for us.
“That’s what you expect from an FA Cup tie and we’re pleased we’ve got through and most of the performance as well.”
There is more cup action for the Cobblers next week. They host Bugbrooke St. Michaels in the Northamptonshire FA Women’s Cup second round, the side they knocked out with a 7-0 win before going on to win the competition last season.
Oldfield wants his players to maintain their high standards.
“It’s another cup game and it’s a competition we want to win,” he said.
“We’ll be taking the game as seriously as any other game, with the same focus, preparation and intensity.
“We’re looking to make sure we keep our standards high, and if we do that we’ll get the outcomes we want next week.”