Manchester City women’s league loss to Birmingham following an international break, interrupting a four-game winning streak, is added incentive for captain Steph Houghton to get the team back into title-challenging form.
City lost 2-0 in the midlands on their return to Women’s Super League action last weekend after a mid-season hiatus.
Now sitting sixth in the table, five points behind leaders Birmingham, Houghton is determined to right the wrongs of the recent loss when they take on Sunderland in the Continental Cup.
“It’s disappointing when you’re on such a good run, everyone’s confidence is high and you’re into a good rhythm and routine,” she told MM.
“Maybe it did come at the wrong time, but we can’t use that as an excuse over the next few games – we’ve got to play well and try to get three points every game we play.
“I know that after [the Birmingham game] all the girls want to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible.”
The Sunderland encounter will have added significance for Houghton given her North East background.
“Being from Sunderland, there’s something extra in playing against your old club and where you grew up.
“But for me personally I just want to go win for Manchester City and I want to put in a good performance for me and the rest of the team.”
The team will have the added boost of home support in the Manchester Regional Arena, which drew a crowd of 746 for City’s last Continental Cup match, a 2-1 win over reigning WSL champions Liverpool.
“Our fanbase has grown every game,” Houghton said.
“I’d just encourage everyone to come along – if you’re a Manchester City supporter, come along and support us, because we do appreciate the support and it’s nice to know that when you’re playing you’ve got the fans behind you.”
Houghton’s sentiments were echoed by City manager Nick Cushing, who said that it was special for the team to play beside the Etihad Stadium, or in it, as they did against Everton in May.
“We enjoy playing at home, because we’ve had such good crowds this season, and we want more people to come down and watch the women’s first team play,” he told MM.
“We enjoy playing in Manchester, that’s our home and where we train every day.”
“A real big highlight for us was playing in the Etihad, on our first team’s pitch, because that’s us as a football club, our home is the Etihad Stadium.”
Main image courtesy of Manchester City FC via YouTube, with thanks.
