WITH the first five league games of the season now passed, Burton Albion can reflect on a positive start to the 2021/22 FAWNL Division One Midlands season.
And now the Brewers turn their attentions to cup action this Sunday with an away trip to Bedworth United in the FAWNL Cup (2pm kick-off at The Oval).
The fixture computer threw up a difficult start to the season for Tommy Booth and Kristian Gilbert's side. Albion have had to face promotion favourites in Boldmere St Michaels, Lincoln City and Doncaster Rovers Belles, as well as picking up a first win of the season at Long Eaton United, in the opening weeks of the new campaign.
And joint-manager Booth is looking forward to seeing what the Brewers can do over the next few months, particularly following last weekend's 2-1 defeat away at Lincoln City.
"We got a reaction at halftime at Lincoln which was a positive," said Booth.
"We weren’t in the best of moods on Sunday but the fact that we’ve played four and been within a goal of a top team is a positive, so when we’re playing at our best we should be beating teams near the top. Last year we lost 10-0 when playing badly, not within one goal.
"We’ve been disappointed at times but we’d have taken this at the start of the season. We’ve played four of the best teams in the division and now they’re out the way, we’ve got to do the job against some of the others.
"Last season is a good barometer of how far forward the team has come in a short space of time. We've already got more points than last year before it was curtailed - but we can’t stop now just because we’re in an okay position.
"We’re really looking forward to playing Bedworth in the Cup. We’ve been playing in a shape to try to frustrate the opposition. Sunday is an opportunity to give minutes to others potentially. They’ll have an opportunity."
Keep an eye on the official @BAFCWomen Twitter account for live updates from Sunday's game.