Claire Ditchburn believes Durham’s win over Southampton was just rewards for the ‘effort and character’ shown by the side.
Amy Andrews’ late goal meant the Blues sealed victory in a game of few chances, played amid blustery conditions at Maiden Castle.
“I think the conditions meant it was never going to be a great footballing spectacle,” said Ditchburn post-match.
“We said at half-time it was going to be one chance and it just whichever team took that chance.
“Thankfully it was us and Amy took it brilliantly.
“The effort and character shown by the girls to really fight and contest everything, I thought they deserved that goal at the end.”
“You could tell from the first whistle that it was going to be that type of game,” she continued.
“The wind was making it difficult to play football so sometimes you’ve just got to accept that.
“We said whichever team dealt with the conditions better would come out on the winning side and I thought that the girls really managed it fantastically.”
The goal came after fine work from Lily Crosthwaite and Mollie Lambert – with Andrews then applying the coolest of finishes.
And Ditchburn was full of praise for the work involved in the crucial strike.
“I think Lily has been in fantastic form recently and she caused them a lot of problems,” said the Head Coach.
“We were looking at trying to get Mollie a little higher because we know what a threat she can be with those runs in behind, so to see the three of them link-up was really pleasing.”
At the other end, there was little of note for Durham stopper Tatiana Saunders to do – thanks in no small part to a fine performance from the Blues’ rearguard.
“It was quite heroic stuff at times from the backline,” said the Head Coach.
“We knew Southampton would come here and try and put us under pressure and they aren’t near the top of the league for no reason – they’re a really good team.
“But the girls stood up to everything they threw at them today and T didn’t have a lot to do because of that.”
The victory was played out in front of over a thousand fans at Maiden Castle – and Ditchburn was delighted to send the supporters home happy.
“It was brilliant when we got the goal hearing their cheer.
“And then their support in the last few minutes when you could see that the fatigue was setting in, they really pushed us over the line.”
