ReactionMatt Beard on Tottenham draw: 'We showed great character'

Marie Höbinger netted for the Reds in the first minute of added time at the end of the Barclays Women’s Super League contest to earn a point at Prenton Park, after Celin Bizet had put the visitors ahead in the 71st minute.

Read on for a summary of what Beard had to say during a post-match Q&A with reporters...

On showing good ‘character’ to get a draw...

It was a funny game. I think the pitch had an impact on the game for both teams... the conditions obviously didn’t help. I felt we were quite comfortable throughout. The goal was frustrating, Martha’s had a bit of brilliance there, and then the ball has bounced off a knee and spun in. It was frustrating but we showed great character to get back into it and I think we scored in the 90th minute and then it feels like a bit of a win rather than a draw.

On the impact of his substitutions...

Paz [Lucy Parry] has been training really well. Obviously Mel is Mel. Delighted she’s got that 100th appearance for us now, but I thought Leanne Kiernan caused lots of problems. It’s great, we go behind, it happened against Bristol City as well, we made the changes and then it had a big impact. Like I said before, the squad depth we’ve got here is great, it gives us the ability to change it if we need to.

On Höbinger’s late goal...

She’s a great technician on the ball. If you want it to fall to anyone, you want it to fall to her on the edge of the box. I thought she moved the ball really well to get the shot off.

On both sides being similar with aims of the top four...

You look at the top three now, obviously Arsenal have lost today... for us this year was always going to be about improving on last year. If you look at the younger players we brought in, they’re getting that experience and how to do this week in, week out. As I say, we’re frustrated we haven’t won today. I think we could’ve won it. I think we’ve created enough chances today to win the game but it’s just that little bit of detail in the final third that maybe let us down at times.

On Melissa Lawley’s 100th game...

She was unlucky not to start today. As I said in my programme notes, Mel’s a great character, but she’s a wonderful football player. When she’s on it sometimes she can be unplayable. I’m delighted for her.

On Grace Fisk’s performance...

I think she should be in the England set-up. I think her performances warrant that. She’s played full-back, centre-back and she’s been very versatile for us, but Fisky is just one of those types of people. In training and day to day she just goes about it under the radar. She’s been a great signing for us.

On the late goal being a ‘sweet’ feeling...

Yeah, it was. I just felt the way the game was going it didn’t feel like it would come. But then we had a lot of attacking players on the pitch at the back end. If you look at it, you’ve got Marie, Ceri, Mel, Sophie and Leanne Kiernan. We know we’ve got players that can score goals.