Beth Merrick admitted that “assists mean more to me than scoring goals” following her hat-trick of assists that contributed to a Black Country derby victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Wolves Women defeated their local rivals 5-0 at Molineux on Sunday and Merrick reflected on the triumph as well as speaking about her close attempt to goal, while also looking ahead to an important game next week as the Old Gold face Burnley.
On the brilliant team performance
“We went in at half-time feeling a little bit frustrated. Macca set a few things right and then we wanted to come back out and produce a performance.
“We absolutely cruised it in the second half, we controlled the game as they didn’t really test us.
“It was a brilliant performance in the second half and parts of the first half but overall, we were fantastic.”
On her hat-trick of assists
“Obviously, I love these days they’re fantastic, and to be able to contribute to some of our fantastic players scoring feels great.
“Assists always mean more to me than scoring the goals, and the fact that we have two people in the running for the golden boot this year is amazing for Amber (Hughes) and Charl (Greengrass).
“So, to contribute in any way that I can is brilliant.”
On her close chance in the final minute
“It was close, but the most important thing is that we have won convincingly, and we knew that they weren’t going to be the side that we beat at the Hawthorns in the way that we did.
“We knew we were going to have to graft a little bit harder, but to come away winning 5-0 means more than scoring any goals to me.
“Just to see it today and to have that 5-0 scoreline to share on social media feels amazing.”
On their dominant second half
“Macca spoke a lot at the break about mindset and not getting comfortable, and in that first half we got quite comfortable so to come out, re-evaluate, and get in at half-time was just what we needed.
“We just wanted to come out firing and make sure that we get the result that we deserve, and we did.
“If we’d have finished the game at 2-0, that wouldn’t have shown the game in the way that we played it and the way that we set up.
“So, to make sure that it was convincing, 5-0 was perfect.”
Looking ahead to Burnley at home
“We will prepare the same as every week, Macca and the staff work incredibly hard, to make sure they do all the prep and the groundwork on Burnley.
“All we have got to do is listen to them and make sure that we apply ourselves in the same way.
“It will be another strong week; we just need to make sure that we get into them.
“We know how good Burnley are and the strengths that they have so, we just need to make sure that we are on top form and are our one hundred percent selves. This result today will help us going into it as well.”
By Scarlett Lester
