Brighton & Hove Albion defender Laura Rafferty was left frustrated with yesterday’s 1-0 home defeat with West Ham United in the FA Women’s Super League.
Rafferty described how one moment where the team lacked concentration in the match was enough for the Seagulls to walk away empty handed from the Broadfield Stadium.
She said, “It’s a tough result to take. It’s more frustrating when we think that we should have nicked it.
“I don’t think they outplayed us at all, it was just one moment where we lacked concentration for two minutes and in the Women’s Super League, that’s where the other team takes advantage.
“I think we need to take a long, hard look at ourselves, take responsibility and come back better. We need to improve and manage the game better.”
The Northern Ireland international also pinpointed areas where the team needs to improve in order to pick up more points in the FA Women’s Super League.
“We can improve all over the pitch. We’re not as clinical as we could have been, and in the WSL we need to take our chances, because in this division you don’t get a lot of them.
“Defensively, if you have even one moment where you lack concentration, the opposition will counter on it and you can’t afford to do that in the top league.”
The defender once again stood in as captain following regular skipper Dani Buet’s injury, and while she was proud to be named captain, she is looking forward to seeing her team-mate feature regularly in the side again.
“It’s a huge honour and I’m happy that Hope has that belief in me.
“It’s definitely made me raise my efforts in the leadership role I take in the team, and I’m looking to take that and improve in every game, whether I’m captain or not.
“But on the other hand, Dani is a great player and it would be great to have her back on the pitch as much as I’ve enjoyed being captain.”
The match was designated as the team’s Rainbow Laces fixture meaning Rafferty’s role as captain saw her wear a rainbow armband for the match, and the defender spoke about her support for the initiative.
“I think it’s great that we’re supporting it, if you look at Brighton as a community, it’s all about equality.
“For us as a football club, we’ve got the power to show that and thrive on it and take things like this onto the next level to help change society.
“Individually it’s an initiative that I’m proud to support and I know the rest of the squad are too.
“It’s also been a massive honour to lead the teams out and wear this rainbow armband and the laces in the boots too.”