Olga Ahtinen is determined to keep building on the positive start to the Barclays Women’s Super League campaign.
Following our opening day win over local rivals West Ham United – a 1-0 victory at Brisbane Road – we followed that up with an impressive 2-0 showing over Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.
Olga, who was making her first start of the campaign, was at the heart of our excellent display on Merseyside.
Starting out on the left-hand side, an unfamiliar position for the Finland international, she opened the scoring in the first half with a composed finish into the bottom corner before Cathinka Tandberg doubled our advantage with a 40-yard strike early into the second period.
A strong defensive performance saw us preserve back-to-back clean sheets in the league and make it six points out of six so far, with Manchester City next up at Brisbane Road on Friday night – tickets available here.
Speaking to us afterwards, Olga said: “It’s really nice to continue that winning run, but also not to have conceded gives us further confidence on the things that work, the defending we did and the hard work we put in. It was a really good team effort.
“I know that’s what we want [three points] early in the season but, as a group, we want to build on the momentum and continue the positive displays from pre-season.
“We want to show we’re taking steps forward as a group and I think that’s what has been the most pleasing about the start to the season.
When asked about the stunner from her team-mate, ‘Tinka’, she added: “I have played with Tinka before, we know each other quite well having played in the same team in Sweden.
“So, for her to score something like that or even see that as an option, it does not surprise me at all. I just know those are the kind of things you can expect from her.”
Watch | Ahtinen slots home the opener