READING FC WOMEN’s goalkeeper Jackie Burns has challenged her team to use ‘frustration as fuel’ after their late defeat to Manchester United last Sunday.
The Royals took the Women’s Super League leaders down to the wire with a determined display before they conceded in the 87th minute.
The loss leaves Reading in 10th position in the WSL on seven points from 12 matches.
“It was a bitter pill to swallow on Sunday,” said Burns.
“It’s one of those that we felt we put so much into the performance, not just on Sunday but the whole week leading up to the game, we knew we were going to be busy and get a lot of questions asked and we really stood up to them throughout the game.
“The hard work and determination from all the girls I thought was incredible.
“It was just really unfortunate that they got the goal at the end and you could see it in our faces how gutted we were.
“We were heartbroken in the huddle, but we have to look at the positives.
“The level of performance we are capable of producing and we just have to take that same level of intensity, fight into each remaining game.
“We must use this frustration as fuel for the next game.”
Burns has enjoyed an excellent breakthrough season this campaign after forcing her way into the team, she has managed to maintain her spot to keep Grace Moloney out of the side.
The Northern Ireland international has made her presence felt since joining the Royals in the summer and already has two penalty saves this season.
Burns managed to keep out Kim Little’s spot kick in Reading’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal and she made her second penalty save at the weekend where she clawed out Katie Zelem’s effort for Manchester United.
She continued: “For me personally it’s always nice to produce big saves in big moments, another penalty to add to the CV, and of course it would have been made sweeter with a right result.
“Our next run of games are massive and can very much define our season, and it starts on Sunday against Leicester.
“Albeit a different competition, but a positive result can do so much for your mental preparations going into the upcoming games.
“We know the situation we’re in, results are often so unpredictable and everyone’s competitive so we know we need to keep up these levels of performances but start getting something out of the games.”
