O’Brien: GOTS A Turning Point For Us

- LCFC Women’s Shannon O’Brien took home the Goal of the Season prize
- The attacker had three strikes nominated, including the winner versus Durham
- O’Brien, 20, explained the importance of the goal to City’s campaign
- She also won Player of the Season at the Club’s End of Season Awards

Although coming in the Continental Tyres League Cup, the strike, a sweeping half-volley into the bottom corner from Sophie Howard’s cross, sent City on their way to a morale-boosting 2-1 away triumph over Durham at Maiden Castle in November 2021.

A first win across any competition for the Foxes in 2021/22, it was the precursor to picking up 13 league points after the turn of the year. O’Brien explained the importance of the goal to LCFC TV, following her double win at the Club’s End of Season Awards evening on Monday.

“That was my first one of the season,” she recalled. “I just remember it being a horrible game. There was a lot of expectation on us, we hadn’t won a game yet and so it was a big relief goal. It set the tone for the game then and we ended up winning quite comfortably, so it was a good one.

“I think it filled us with a lot of confidence after that. I think we’d been playing quite well but not really getting anything and, as a team, we were struggling with that. We needed that kind of game to get a bit of confidence and we pushed on after that. We picked up points to stay in the league, so it was a big turning point for us.”

The attacker saw three strikes nominated in total, including a terrific hit to equalise late on against Tottenham Hotspur in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup Fourth Round – a tie Leicester won after extra-time.

O'Brien was pleased to claim the prize, her second of the evening after also picking up Womens Player of the Season - voted for by the fans too.

Discussing the goals, O’Brien continued: “It’s mad. I only scored three and they were all up there, so I’m buzzing and delighted to win that. I felt I was in with a good chance of winning Goal of the Season, although not for that goal!

“I just thought that the goal against Tottenham could win, simply because it was top corner. I’m happy to have won it either way! The Durham goal was good and was probably the tougher finish out of the two.”

Her single league goal of the campaign, meanwhile – a first in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League for the former Coventry United star – became a crucial one that secured three points against Brighton & Hove Albion at King Power Stadium in January.

Expertly finishing Jess Sigsworth’s cross with a controlled, low strike, it confirmed a 1-0 triumph that propelled the Foxes towards WSL safety and a second season in the top division. Naturally, given its context, the goal was her standout moment of 2021/22.

“I think it was the highlight of my season, that goal,” the 20-year-old beamed. “But yes, I’m just happy to have helped as much as possible and it was a big three points that we needed.

“We always set targets to begin the season and now, next season, we’ve just got to better what we’ve done this season and hopefully I can help do that.”