Walsall Women Manager Steve Guest was pleased that the team got to play in front of a strong crowd at the Poundland Bescot Stadium last Saturday and was pleased with the effort they put in despite the result.
After a close first half that ended goalless, Sian McHugh scored a second half brace for Port Vale to ensure the visitors took home all three points on what was a historic day for Walsall Football Club.
Guest was frustrated with the result but was pleased with the support his team received on what was still a fantastic day for all involved.
“Bar the result, it was a great day for the girls,” said Guest.
“There were so many fans who stayed to watch the game as well. They backed the girls chanting through the whole game, trying to get the girls to push on.
“We knew we were in the game; we know Vale are a tough side and a well drilled side.
“With us, we got into phases of the game where we couldn’t play our own football for some reason.
“The girls tried their hardest, they gave everything they could but unfortunately the result went the wrong way.”
Guest’s assistant, Matt Willis, felt fitness came played a part on the day but he couldn’t fault the team’s effort and spirit, particularly with the way they responded to falling behind and kept going.
“We do react well; we ask them to react well which they did do this time,” Willis said.
“two-nil down, 70 minutes on the clock - that comes down to fitness and that’s not through the girls fault but we can only train for an hour and a half a week whereas teams above and around us now are getting two to four hours a week.
“That’s something we work on constantly but the attitude, the effort and determination of the girls is clear to see, it’s there all the time.”
Guest hopes to see supporters who attended Saturday’s game come and watch the girls more often as he eyes improvement next season.
“We hope now that they’ve played here, the fans have seen the women’s side that they’ll come down to Rushall at home," he added.
"We’ve got one last game (at home) in a few weeks and then rebuild for next season with the squad that we’ve got so hopefully the Saddlers will get behind the women as well.”
Watch more: