Chloe Chivers | We showed real grit and togetherness in our performance
Player of the match Chloe Chivers felt Swansea City Women's 5-2 win over The New Saints at Park Hall was a true reflection of the squad’s resilience and unity.
The Swans opened their phase two campaign in the Genero Adran Premier with an impressive victory, courtesy of four superb goals from Chivers, along with Eilish Mitchell’s second strike of the season.
The result leaves Swansea third in the standings on 33 points, four behind Wrexham and five adrift of leaders Cardiff, with five league games remaining.
Chivers’ quartet also keeps her firmly in the Golden Boot race. She now sits on 16 league goals - one behind Wrexham forward Katie Barker on 17, and five ahead of Cardiff’s Laura Curnock on 11.
The midfielder believes the squad showed great togetherness during difficult spells against a physical TNS side, and was keen to share the credit round despite an excellent individual showing.
“I’m really happy with the result - it’s the perfect way to kick off phase two. I thought we showed real resilience as a team and demonstrated the togetherness we have in the squad at the moment," she said.
“If we do concede, we make sure our heads don’t drop. I felt everyone worked for each other, left everything out on the pitch, and to add a couple more goals towards the end was brilliant.
“TNS are a very physical side and we knew that from previous games against them. It was a demanding match, but I think we managed it well when we needed to. We didn’t allow their physicality to overwhelm us — everyone stepped up and it was a really strong team performance.
“Personally, it was great to get four goals. I always back myself from free-kicks and thankfully two went in, and with the other two I just tried my luck from distance and they found the net.
“To be on 16 league goals at this stage of the season is really pleasing. I know I’m in the Golden Boot race, but it’s not something I’m focusing on - I’m just taking it game by game and enjoying my football.”