After his side fell to a 3-0 defeat against Sherborne Town Ladies last weekend, Women’s Head Coach Chris Hicks credited the clinical edge of his opponents but also praised the quality of football shown by his players throughout.

Rovers knew the task at hand would be a difficult one going into the game, with Sherborne leading the league table ahead of their trip to Chalford this past Sunday, and despite a brilliant start to the game, the hosts were punished by the ruthless visitors.

“We were playing a team at the top of the league, so we expected a tough battle, but there was full confidence in the team that we could go and get a result too - we’ve been playing well”, said Hicks.

“In the first 30 minutes, we really passed the ball around well, had some great phases of play, but we found ourselves two nil down after being beaten twice on the counter attack.

“Sherborne were clinical, full credit to them, they’re top of the league for a reason they score goals and they’re hard to score against.”

Despite defeat overall, Hicks’ side looked impressive on the ball against Sherborne, with the opening period of play particularly catching the Head Coach’s eyes.

The performance of Holly Hughes also pleased Hicks, with the full back involved again, after making her debut in the 5-3 victory against Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies.

“We knew it was going to be a tough challenge and we would have to work our way into the game a little bit,” he said.

“Holly Hughes played her first full 90 minutes at left back and had a very good game.

“On Sunday we played some brilliant football for 30 minutes, but they took their two chances and when we found ourselves 2-0 down it’s quite hard to come back from - it was just two lapses of concentration that cost us."

Hicks was keen to emphasise just how well his side played in certain sections of the game against Sherborne, with parts of Rovers’ performance against the league leaders providing Hicks and his team with plenty of confidence for their next fixture against Middlezoy this upcoming Sunday.

“We have to keep believing in what we’re trying to do, and that is getting the ball down and playing football - some of the football against Sherborne was the best it’s been all season. 

“We’ll go into Middlezoy full of confidence, there’s no reason for us not to - we’ve got to keep the belief that what we’re doing is right and the right way for us to play.

“We were all disappointed as coaches and players because we felt we could get something from the game against a team at the top of the league - that’s not always a bad thing because it shows you the ambition, and what everyone believes we can achieve.”

Up next for Hicks’ side is the visit of Middlezoy Ladies to Chalford Sports Club on Sunday December 12 for a South West Women’s Football League Premier Division fixture - come along and show your support for the team!