READING FC WOMEN’s manager Liam Gilbert was left delighted after his team secured their first win of the season on their trip to Durham.
The Royals started life in the Women’s Championship with three consecutive draws before they suffered a heavy home loss to Southampton.
However, the team got up and running with their first win under the new boss as second-half goals from Freya Gregory and Amelia Elwood earned three points.
“It’s an absolute testament to the work the girls have been putting in over the last few weeks,” said Gilbert.
“We were fantastic when we didn’t have the ball, and then I thought we were positive in transition, highlighting the team’s determination to build on this success.
“We’ve had a lot of conversations over the past weeks about the different paths the players have taken.
“Situations like this will help bring them together and they fully deserve it. They work their socks off.”
Gilbert continued to emphasise the importance of team morale and is hoping that his team can now find a renewed confidence having got their first win of the campaign under their belts.
He added: “The best thing for me is they’ve done it for each other. They’ve done it for the front of the shirt as opposed to what’s written on the back and that’s the best thing to see.
“For instance, in the 95th minute when we’ve just gone two nil up, you’ve got three or four players still going and hunting and working to just stop them from counter attacking. That’s what you want to see.
“We scored two very good goals. We know she (Freya Gregory) is making sure that she continues to do that on a regular basis.
“She got in some fantastic positions and that’s where we can start with. I can’t wait to see what happens over the next three, six, nine months for her.
“For Millie (Elwood), it’s a testament to her because I think she’s been so patient with everything she’s been through.
“She’s doing extra bits of work after every single session and sticking one of them away is a credit to her.
“The good thing for me is that you can see the girls believe in each other more.
“We’re still growing as a group and you can see that unity and togetherness.”
