Molly: “Now we look forward to 2023!”

Our 2022 action came to an end with a 1-0 win against Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium in the Continental League Cup group stages on Sunday, courtesy of a display more dominant than the scoreline suggests.

“It was really important to get a win first of all, to get a clean sheet secondly, and it was really nice to see a debut for Kayleigh [Stead] as well, so it was positive coming out of the game for sure,” Molly Bartrip said, summing up the afternoon nicely.

She was playing alongside Amy Turner on the weekend, as opposed to her usual centre-back partner Shelina Zadorsky, who was rested for the final game of the year.

“I think we all know how good Amy is. Naturally she is a centre-half but she’s been doing an amazing job at right-back, so either way I knew she was going to give a good performance. For me, she’s a pleasure to play with.”

It may have been chilly on the south coast, but at least the wet conditions allowed for some spectacular slide tackles on a Premier League surface.

“I love playing in the rain so I wasn’t complaining! It’s a bit cold, but that’s football and you have to be ready for those conditions. I enjoy playing in them for sure.

“It’s important to finish on a high and we did that, so we’ll lock it off and box it off. 2022’s done now, now we look forward to 2023, all guns blazing.”

Lenna Gunning-Williams and Ella Houghton both came on for their Spurs debut in our previous Conti Cup game against Coventry United, while Kayleigh Stead got her first start against Southampton.

“They’re just willing to learn,” Molly said, discussing the impression the young trio have made. “They want to learn, they want to work hard, and it’s really nice to see young girls wanting to play anyway, but those ones that actually want to step into that environment, speak up and do what they do, fair play to them for stepping up today and putting in a good performance.”

At the end of a disappointing run of three defeats in the Women’s Super League, Molly was relieved to see Nikola Karczewska hit the back of the net in the 26th minute on Sunday.

“Niki using strength, scoring goals, that’s what we want to see. Niki did a really good job there and Ros [Ayane] made a brilliant cross into the box, so that’s what you want to see. You want to get the celebrations in. I’m just glad and relieved that we scored.

Speaking of Ros, who put plenty of crosses into the box with precision on her right foot and left foot, do we know which is actually her strongest?

“I’m unsure! She’s talented on both in that way, gifted with her left and right foot. I think she can take crosses on either, so fair play to her, I wish I had that!”