Women's Team midfielder Olivia Greenhalgh praises "togetherness" of Reds' squad

An ever-present role in this season’s squad so far from Olivia Greenhalgh has been massively key to the Reds’ success so far in all competitions, over the last few months. The midfielder has added a defensively solid presence in the middle of the pitch, and has been able to quickly turn defence into attack with a number of what can now be known as ’trademark through-balls’.

With our no.4’s game continuously improving at a vast rate, the midfielder believes that the framework around her has been key to improving her own personal performances. "I’m starting to get back playing to the level I knew that I could and I’m really enjoying my football. The girls have played a massive part in that, playing and training with the players we have would improve any player! Luke [Podmore] has also been great, we have a number of talented midfielders and he has shown a lot of faith to stick by me which has allowed me to improve and form partnerships all over the pitch".

One player that Greenhalgh has particularly blossomed with on the pitch this season is fellow midfielder Rebecca Foster. In December Foster claimed that "every team needs a Liv G", and now Greenhalgh has heaped praise on her midfield partner. "It has been an absolute pleasure playing alongside Becks. I’ve never met anyone so in sync with me on the pitch, she’s a fantastic player and person - I love our partnership. We have a running joke that we’re just one player now, I think we even got joint player of the match once!"

As well as Foster, Greenhalgh has been able to linkup with new signings in the form of Fran Sullivan and Cara Fields in midfield so far this season. She admits that they have been paramount to the side’s form so far this season. "Fran [Sullivan] and Cara [Fields] are very talented players and to have them playing in front of us has been a dream, it makes mine and Becks [Foster]’s life so much easier. They link up well with Jess Battle and all three of them create chances and score goals from nothing! Fran, Becks and Cara have all fit into the team so well this season and have played a huge part in the teams success this season already. I can’t imagine a midfield without them now!"

Since the Christmas break, the Reds have had a number of fixtures postponed with the winter weather taking it’s toll on many away pitches. But the Reds have not let the stop-start momentum of the last few weeks halt their form with three competitive wins from three so far in 2018. Greenhalgh has been impressed with the way that the squad have performed over that period of time. "Coming back from the Christmas break is always tricky but we’ve kept up the momentum and got three important wins to put us in a strong position going into the second half of the season".

With the winning mentality in full swing inside the dressing room, the midfielder admits that the squad is currently a pleasure to be a part of. "We have a fantastic bunch of girls and we are all close now so naturally it’s a great dressing room to be in. Everyone knows what we’re trying to achieve and we’re all in it together as a squad".

Having been a member of the squad during the inaugural 2012-13 season, Greenhalgh returned to Broadhurst Park at the start of last season having spent three years away at university. The midfielder believes that despite a brilliant first spell with the Reds, there is many reasons to say why the current one has been even better to this point. "FC is a great club and I loved my first spell it was special being involved from the start which is why I returned after finishing uni. The second spell has been even better the professionalism, togetherness and quality of this group has stepped up to a new level. It’s good to see the same fans who have been there from the start coming still, they’re a big reason why the club is so good".

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s fixture, the Reds take on West Didsbury & Chorlton WFC in a Manchester FA Women’s Cup semi-final at Broadhurst Park (3G) as they attempt to continue their defence of the trophy, won at the back end of last season. Greenhalgh has fond memories of last year’s final at Brookburn Road where the Reds beat City of Manchester Ladies 5-1, to win the team’s first ever County Cup title. "I have fond memories of both cup finals last season. It was the first cup we won with Luke [Podmore] so the county cup final will always be a memorable game for us! Kirsty [Chambers]’s goal wasn’t bad either was it?"

United have already done the double over tomorrow’s opponents in the league this season, winning 5-0 and 3-0, home and away respectively. Greenhalgh stresses that tomorrow’s visitors will provide a tough test once again despite the Reds holding the psychological advantage gained from previous encounters. "I think it will be a tough game, they always give everything they’ve got and that will be no different tomorrow. The last two wins gives us a slight psychological advantage and in terms of knowing how to beat them but it will also fire them up even more so I am looking forward to the challenge and making it three out of three!"

You can see Greenhalgh and her teammates take on West Didsbury & Chorlton WFC in the semi-final of the Manchester FA Women’s Cup, tomorrow afternoon, as we look to book our place in a second successive County Cup final - Broadhurst Park (3G), 2pm KO.

We hope to see you all there!

By Mikey Partington