In-form midfielder Lauren Breen believes she is improving with every game as the Belles enter the final stretch of their push for promotion.
Since returning from illness and injury, Breen has been increasingly influential - scoring seven times in the last nine games in which the Belles have lost just once.
This impressive return to form was reflected in her being awarded Player Of The Match in last weekend’s big win over Burton Albion, where she bagged a brace and a corner assist for the second game in succession.
“I contracted Covid last autumn, was out of sorts for three months, and then suffered a thigh injury. Since I’ve come back I think I’ve really got into my game. The season is getting better for me and hopefully for the team as well.
A graduate of the Belles RTC, Breen was part of the young and inexperienced squad when the Belles self-relegated to the third tier in the 2018-19 season. She later left the club, spending a short time at Leeds United before re-signing with the Belles in April 2021.
“The management team have been very supportive. I really enjoy the style of football that Andy and Nick want us to play – they want us to take care of the ball but move it quickly and create chances.
She added: “I’m an attack-minded midfielder and I like to pick up the ball and get it moving forward. I like to continue my runs into the box and it seems recently that I’ve been popping up at the right time to finish moves off.
“We’re in a great position at the moment. Winning the league would be fantastic, so we’ve just got to give ourselves that chance by making sure we win our remaining four league games – it’s as simple as that.