Poppy Payne hails clinical start to Millwall Lionesses’ season

Millwall Lionesses defender Poppy Payne reckons she has never played in a team “as clinical” after their latest victory against Long Crendon Ladies on Sunday afternoon.

That’s now eight wins in a row for the South London club, who also sit top of the London & South East Regional Women’s league.

Payne said: “Over the years, I have never played in a team as clinical as we have been over the start of this season. The bond we have as a team off the pitch helps immensely on the pitch – we all want to play for each other and work hard for each other to get the results we need.

“It’s exciting for us to think about the type of teams that we could come up against if we keep competing the way we have, but we just need to take each game as it comes and use each week at training to build ourselves for the next.

“There is no room for an off game as a team this season, our strong competitors in the league are not too far behind us, so it is so important that we turn up every week prepared no matter who our opposition are.

“The wins are lifting the morale in the team, and the morale is pushing us to win – it’s a good thing we have going at the moment.

“As a team, we all do a brilliant job together of picking each other up, motivating, and praising each other throughout the game. 

“That’s the reason we have been so strong in coming back from a couple of defeated first halves like the Dulwich game.

“Looking at the way the season has kicked off and the position we are in, currently top of the table, the goal difference is just as important as the 3 points. To continue scoring in these games out of the league like we did this weekend is vital to keep that habit up.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD