Dan McNamara has hailed his Wolves Women side following Sunday’s six-goal victory over Halifax, which sent the Old Gold to the top of the table.
Goals from Beth Merrick, Amber Hughes, Charlotte Greengrass, Racheal Quigley (2) and Ania Denham gave Wolves a comfortable three points at the SEAH Stadium to leapfrog Nottingham Forest and to the summit. Manager McNamara has stressed that, despite being top, the team will not get ahead of themselves, but he was keen to highlight the magnitude of the achievement to be leading the way after 10 league games.
On six goals and three more points
“I thought the girls were good. I thought they were good in large spells. At half-time, we were really pleased with our play up to the edge of their box, but we said we probably could be a little bit more clinical, have a little bit more quality in and around the box – in the second half, I thought they did that.
“I thought we were making that extra pass, that one more pass we needed to get a clearer opportunity and, overall, it’s a really good performance.
“I know there are games in hand, and we're not getting carried away, but to be top of this league after 10 league games is up there with the biggest achievements of my tenure.
“What we're up against, the clubs that are involved, the money that's involved, it is absolutely incredible what these girls are doing.
“We'll enjoy it. It's fantastic to be in and amongst it again, but we won't take anything for granted. We've got a really tough one next at Liverpool Feds, but let's just take stock at what these girls are doing.
“They're defying all the odds and competing with clubs that they should not be competing with, and that's testament to each and every one of them.”
On being top of the table
“It's fantastic. We haven't been near the top for quite a while. As I said, it's not something we're going to get carried away with.
“I just want them to understand what they're doing because everyone wrote us off after Forest. Everyone said Wolves aren’t the club that they were, they haven't got the backing and the finances they need to compete.
“Well, halfway through the season, the girls are proving the doubters wrong. Who knows what's going to happen in the next 12 league games, but for them to be in and amongst it and competing with clubs we simply shouldn't be, is testament to all them, and they're incredible. They represent this club superbly week on week.”
On Racheal Quigley’s two goals
“It's been tough for Quigs. She's come over here and she's sacrificed a lot. She's landed in Wolverhampton on her own and fair play to her - I've got a lot of time for people who will upend their life to go and chase something, and that's been a long time coming.
“In the goals she scores, you've seen how good she is. The header, I think, is probably the best goal of the day. I think she just oozes quality when she gets the ball and you can see she's played at the very top of the game so I’m delighted for her.
“I know it’s been a bit of an emotional time for her because she's waited a long time for that, but now she gets off the mark with two goals and heads into next week full of confidence.
“We're delighted to have her up and firing, and I'm sure we'll see more from her in the next few weeks.”
On facing Asfordby in the FA Cup next
“It's one of those where we go in there as huge favourites. We've got to make sure we do the job, though.
“We won't be disrespecting Asfordby. We want to make sure we prepare well this week, the girls know there's a job to do.
“We made fantastic memories from this competition last year and the prize money that's available now in these early stages of the FA Cup is something not to be ignored.
“We'll prepare well, make sure we're absolutely ready, and we'll go there next week full of confidence and wanting to hopefully get into the next round.”
