Cup Success Boosts Confidence, Says Flint

- LCFC Women defeated Manchester United 4-3 on penalties in the Continental Tyres League Cup
- The pair drew 2-2 in normal time at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday, earning City two Group B points
- Natasha Flint welcomed the result as a timely boost ahead of returning to WSL action
- She was on the scoresheet alongside Sophie Howard for the first time since the season opener

The visiting Foxes drew 2-2 with the Red Devils in normal time, twice taking the lead through goals in each half from Sophie Howard and Flint, before winning 4-3 on penalties to secure an extra point from the Group B clash.

City’s other victory of the season came in their previous League Cup encounter, against Durham, and they backed it up at Leigh Sports Village with another strong performance against their league rivals.

During a tight contest, which was levelled via strikes from Alessia Russo and Katie Zelem in the second half, City had to soak up a lot of pressure, but restricted the hosts to few clear-cut chances.

Scoring four of five penalties and helped by goalkeeper Demi Lambourne's two spot-kick saves, they were able to leave Manchester with a positive result in a cup competition for the second season running.

Dissecting the 90 minutes of action, the forward felt it was exactly what the team needed after a difficult beginning to their debut Barclays FA Women’s Super League campaign.

“The feeling of getting the win on penalties is unbelievable really,” Flint beamed after full-time. “We obviously had a tough start to the season, a tough middle of the season, but to come away with the win on penalties is brilliant.

“We know what side Man Utd are, they are a good side. Our game plan all game was just to keep it compact, keep it tight and just stick to us, not focusing on them too much. If we did our own job, we’d finish the game like we did.

“If we didn’t keep compact and we started popping out of line, that’s when they are going to break us down, because that’s what they are very good at. One thing we know is that they are good at breaking lines, they are good at playing forward passes.

“For us, that was a massive performance today.”

Focusing on her own performance, the 23-year-old was delighted to add her name to the scoresheet for the first time since the opening day of the season, before also scoring a spot-kick during the shootout.

The former Blackburn Rovers striker had to show a strong mentality to put an earlier missed chance behind her and clinically dispatch the ball past Sophie Baggaley late on.

Flint explained: “For the one vs. one, I think I just saw the ‘keeper, I thought she was tracking back to be honest, and she’s just stepped out and I’ve took a bit of a heavy touch, so I’m a bit disappointed at missing that one.

“But it’s good to get a goal in the game and to score a penalty.”

Lydia Bedford was watching on from the stands as Emile Heskey oversaw Sunday’s away triumph, and Flint also looked ahead to being reunited with LCFC Women’s new First Team Manager.

The ex-England youth international added: “I’ve worked with Lydia before. She’s coached me at England at youth level. She’s a good coach on and off the pitch and a good person, so I’m really looking forward to it.”