Clare Hunt: “There’s plenty to work on and positives to take”

While Clare Hunt was left ‘frustrated’ to leave Broadfield Stadium with just a point, she felt there was plenty of positives to take for when we return in the new year.

After a goalless first half in Crawley on Saturday evening, where Brighton arguably had the better of us, we struck first in the final quarter of the game as Bethany England netted her fifth goal in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

Jess Naz then had a glorious opportunity to double our advantage just a few minutes after before the hosts equalised with an impressive strike from Marisa Olislagers to see the points shared in our final game of the calendar year.

Although there were some frustrations to let our one-goal advantage slip away, it saw us head into the festive break with four games without a loss, including three wins on the bounce in all competitions.

The defender, who made a superb late block to thwart Michelle Agyemang, is hoping to use the draw as a platform for when the squad return in the new year.

Speaking to SPURSPLAY after the game, Clare said: “For us, it’s a bit frustrating as we had the lead, we had opportunities in the second half too and we started to work out an efficient press and started to play in the second half, so it’s a bit frustrating to get the draw but, I suppose, it’s not a loss and we head into the new year on a positive note.

“I think defensively we were pretty good, they had their opportunity in the second half and it’s frustrating to concede at that point in the game but, otherwise, I think we did quite well, we absorbed a lot of their pressure in the first half because they had a lot of momentum then, so there’s plenty to work on and also some positives to take away.

“A draw is a draw, it’s not a loss, I think we just have to take away the learnings from this game and move forward, but it will be nice to have a break, have a reset and start again in the new year.”

Joining us in the summer from Paris Saint-Germain, the Australia international has started every game in the WSL so far, scoring once against Liverpool in October, and Clare reflected on her first six months at the Club.

“It has been a bit of whirlwind really. It’s crazy that it’s already been half a season but, for me, it has been a good step in the right direction, some aspects of the season tough but also nights like tonight where you have a bit of success and defensive power is decent,” she added.

“I’m feeling good and wanting to roll into the new year on a positive note.”

Watch - Clare on the draw to Brighton