Emily Batty Discusses Huge Subway Players Cup Triumph

Nottingham Forest Women shot-stopper Emily Batty has hailed the Reds' Subway Players Cup win over Burnley on Sunday.

Forest got their first win of the competition with an emphatic 4-0 thrashing of Burnley at the City Ground.

Tom Mallinson's side took the lead through Alana Murphy shortly before the break, and Abbie Lafayette doubled the Reds' advantage just after the hour mark.

A late double from Melissa Johnson and Lois Shooter put the result beyond doubt late on and sealed a significant win on home soil for Forest.

Batty, a regular last season, has had to accept a more bit-part role this term following Katie Cox's arrival on loan from WSL giants Chelsea.

Sunday's result represented her second clean sheet of the season, but the 28-year-old was more keen to praise her teammates.

“It was a really pleasing performance," she said, "Having four different goal-scorers is always nice for the girls because they’ve been working hard on that.

"We spoke at half-time about improving the energy and intensity and I think we did that in the second half. We were much stronger, and the girls that came on, the game-changers - did really well to help that.

"I thought we were always in control; it was just about making sure that when we went through the gears, we went with intensity, and I think we slowed the game down a bit too much, but once we figured that out and started changing the speed when we broke lines, I thought we were more successful and that showed in the second half."

Batty did also discuss her clean sheet, and made no secret of her delight to keep a second successive clean sheet.

"It’s really pleasing to get a clean sheet," she beamed. "It’s a testament to all the girls. We work hard defending from the front and making sure we reduce their chances, if any, to very little. We don’t get the goals at the back, but a clean sheet goes a long way for us.

"I thought the girls took their chances really well for the goals and all four of them were great finishes."

She also afforded special praise to Johnson, who netted her first goal since giving birth to twins earlier this year.

"Shoutout to Mel as well for her first goal back after having the two girls and the little celebration which was for them. All the girls are buzzing for her and really pleased. Hopefully the first of many on her return.

"She’s a great addition to the group. She trains really well, is really clinical, and she’s experienced to take chances, and if there’s only one, she’ll take it. To have her back in the squad and back on the pitch is massive for us."

Next up for the Reds is a trip to face Wolves, in a return to WSL2 action on Sunday. Wolves are two places and three points below Forest, offering a great opportunity for Mallinson's side to keep their good momentum rolling.