Belles captain Kirsty Smith was delighted to get back on the pitch after capping her first start of the season with the goal that kickstarted the win over Bedworth United.
Smith was forced to sit out the season opener at Boldmere St Michaels seven days prior to this fixture, but struck just 11 minutes in to start the scoring against Bedworth.
She said: “It feels good to be back as it was very frustrating to have to watch from the sidelines as we’d all been working so hard in pre-season. It’s the same for anyone on the bench or having to watch from the side, but we’re a united squad so we support each other. It was brilliant to be back out there.
“We knew it would be a tough game, we knew we had to put in a shift and put everything we’ve been working on in training into practice. We’ve been working on things we knew were their strengths and you could see it all come through.”
Smith feels the foundations for the campaign were laid with the hard work of the playing squad during pre-season.
She added: “The belief is really good, we’re all confident. That comes from training, the new players are gelling really well and we’re really learning about each other and the way we play. You can see us progressing each week as the players are connecting. As a squad we’re really gelling and everything is there.
“With the current situation there was a delay, but even when we couldn’t meet up as a team everyone was doing their own thing behind the scenes to keep fit. Everyone put 100% in which has left us in good stead. Andy and Nick have been brilliant, showing us all the scenarios we could face this season. It all comes down to the management, the self belief and confidence is there.”