KRISTIAN Gilbert says his Burton Albion side provided the perfect response to defeat in our 6-0 win over Bewdley Town in the Vitality Women's FA Cup.
The Brewers advanced to the third qualifying round, where they will have been drawn at home to Lichfield City on October 23, with goals from Alice Lilley (2), Emily Gillott, Ciara Fray, Hajrah Mahmood and a late own goal.
And co-manager Gilbert was pleased with the side’s response following the previous Sunday’s league defeat to Shrewsbury Town.
“We asked the players before the game for a response for last Sunday, and we’ve done exactly that today,” said Gilbert.
“We dominated the game in possession incredibly well, we moved the ball incredibly well across the pitch, and we didn’t give the opposition a chance to get in the game.”
“I'm really happy, good response, everyone worked hard – did their jobs, and we got the win.”
Burton cruised to victory, scoring three in each half, winning comfortably to advance to the next round of the FA Cup.
“We knew we came into the game as favourites,” Gilbert said. “We needed to make sure people won their battles.”
It was a first clean sheet of the campaign for the Brewers, Gilbert had his say on the side’s defensive efforts.
“Yeah, really pleased how we stopped them creating much, Alice (Langstone) had very little to do, I think she had one save at the start of the second half," said Gilbert.
“Really happy, the way Ruby (Evans) and (Charlotte) Jarvis recycled possession and snuffed out any kind of hints of attacks from them, and then got us on the attack again straight away.”
Defender Ciara Fray netted Burton’s fifth with a stunning first-time strike into the top left-hand corner, earning goal of the season claims already.
“She won’t shut up about that one for a while, I don’t think,” Gilbert joked. “Yeah, a great strike, just a great goal.”
Looking forward, the Brewers face an away trip in the league to Solihull Sporting tomorrow. Gilbert says his side will be looking to get back to winning ways in the league.
“We’re definitely back into the swing of things again, players have put things right from the previous week," said Gilbert. "We just need to keep it going, keep working hard individually and do the jobs on the pitch.”
“We’ve got quality players, an excellent squad, but it’s about performing every Sunday and getting that consistency back.”