Back on the scoresheet for the first time in just over three years, it had been a long time coming for Lenna Gunning-Williams, but she was quick to turn the focus on how her team-mates helped her in that moment.
Our Academy graduate, who progressed through the youth set-up at Hotspur Way, stepped off the bench for the closing stages of the game after Bethany England and Drew Spence fired us into a two-goal lead over the Foxes at Brisbane Road.
But, despite being on the pitch for only the final 10 minutes of the Women’s FA Cup tie, she made sure to make an impact.
After a powerful run from debutant Matilda Nilden to charge into the box, the young Swede was denied her first goal by Janina Leiztig but Lenna, who spoke about being taught to follow up on shots, showed quick reactions to fire in the rebound to wrap up the victory and secure our spot in the fifth round.
While the 20-year-old was delighted to open her account for the season – and net her first competitive goal since November, 2022, in the Women’s League Cup – she directed the praise to Matilda for the build-up and her fellow team-mates for showing her belief.
“I’m buzzing,” Lenna beamed with a smile, as she spoke to SPURSPLAY after the game. “I’m really proud of myself because I feel like I’ve trained really well recently and I’ve had the girls behind me, giving me tips and pointers on how I can be calmer when I come on to the pitch instead of being a bit anxious.
“I think today I really showed that. I felt a lot calmer coming on and was lucky enough to get a goal after Matilda did all that work and I just tapped it in.
“We’re always taught to follow up for rebounds just in case and to anticipate someone missing. I just thought, ‘please don’t miss’. I’ve got the goal right there and it seems so big and you do get caught in two minds - do I tap it or do I absolutely welly it - but I’m glad it went in.
“When I come on, I just want to make a defensive impact. I really want to help the team keep the lead and keep the clean sheet, so getting a goal at the end of it is just a privilege.”
Ahead of a big second half of the campaign, Lenna spoke about the ‘confidence’ that this goal can bring for her and praised one particular team-mate in her development this term.
“It’s going to be huge for me in terms of confidence,” reflecting on the impact of the goal. “Sometimes I doubt myself and put way too much pressure on myself and sometimes I feel like, if I don’t score then I’ve done something wrong, but that’s not the case. You can do a lot of things well without scoring but it’s nice that I also got a goal.
“The chemistry is huge and a big one for me is Clare Hunt,” she added. “We go at each other all the time in training, but she’s always the first person to compliment me when I do something well and also the first to give me learning tips. I really appreciate having such a senior player being so helpful in my journey.”