Osborne ‘excited’ for Gtech return | OneFootball

Brentford Women head coach Karleigh Osborne has backed his side to put on a show as they face title rivals Clapton Community at Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday.

The women’s first team will play at the Gtech for the third time as the side look to continue their unbeaten start to the season and take their winning streak to seven consecutive games.

“It’s been a brilliant start to the season and the ladies have been fantastic,” said Osborne.

“The club are fully behind us, Thomas [Frank] has reached out and shown his support; these things are really important.

“The main focus this season is promotion, we have fell short the last couple of campaigns, but I feel like we’ve learnt a lot from that, and the players came back this season with a different energy.

“We understand it's going to be a long journey but if we are going to achieve anything we must continue doing the right things and working hard, and we have the capability to do that without a doubt.

"Playing for this club is always going to come with a level of pressure, but what I’m seeing from the ladies, especially this season, they are working together more and our results show that.

“Clapton are a really strong side who will be right up for it on Sunday with it most likely being their first time playing in a Premier League environment, but I’m confident we can put on another big performance in front of the fans.”

Osborne made more than 160 appearances for Brentford in a period stretching from 2005-2012.

The former defender went on to talk about his transition into head coach of the women’s team and the backing the club has given.

“I’d like to think I’m a rarity being an ex-men’s player in the women’s game,” said Osborne.

“It’s been challenging but now seeing how these players are inspiring a generation of young female players coming through makes it all worth it.

“The resources that the club are putting behind the marketing side of things, promoting these games at the Gtech and putting that awareness out has been really important.

“The more people that become aware of these types of events the better, not only for our players but the women’s game in general.”

Brentford Women duo Mollie Holmes and Ashley Cheatley also faced the press at Jersey Road on Friday afternoon.

Holmes, captain of the side, talked about how important the supporters have been and what another win at the Gtech would mean for herself and the rest of the squad.

She said: “I’m fortunate enough to have played at the Gtech previously, and I think this being my second time I’ll enjoy it even more as I know what to expect now.

“We get a lot of support at our home games so to have the fans watch us on the biggest stage at the Gtech is great.

“Playing at the stadium is always special, I’ve been at the club for 10 seasons now and looking back at where we were, and where we are now, has been incredible and the fans have been on that journey with us.

“We kept the core of our team in the summer and added some really good players who have made us a real force so far this season.

“I’ve felt it previously what a win at the Gtech can do, it can give you that extra boost that you need heading into the upcoming fixtures, so a win is certainly the main point of focus on Sunday.”

Top scorer Ashley Cheatley has made quite the impact since joining the club in the summer, with the striker netting 13 goals in her first six competitive games.

Cheatley, who is set to make her first appearance at the Gtech on Sunday, discussed her time at the club so far and her relationship with strike partner Chloe Logie.

“This will be my first time playing at the Gtech and I’m sure it’s going to be a surreal moment,” explained Cheatley.

“I joined in the summer from a team who played a couple divisions above our level but the opportunities I’ve already had as a Brentford player are just incredible.

“I’ve made a good start, and I like to think I bring a good energy and winner's mentality.

"Chloe [Logie] has played up front on her own in previous seasons so building a partnership to help the team become even more ruthless has been great.

“Me and Chloe got on very well as soon as I came in. Every week we play together we are learning more about each other and you can see that already in the games we have played so far."