Cresswell credits boss

The FA Tesco Women's Premier League
2pm, Sunday 12 April 2009
Imber Court, Metropolitan Police FC

Nottingham Forest midfielder Lauren Cresswell has hailed manager Lisa Dawkins after the team ensured survival in The FA Tesco Women’s Premier League.

Forest, playing in their debut season in the top flight of the women’s game, confirmed their safety with victory over Leeds with Liverpool only managing a draw against Fulham to condemn them to the drop.

The club’s latest achievement is another cap in the feather of Dawkins, who since taking over in 2002 has overseen the club’s rise from the Unison East Midlands League through to the Premier League as well as an appearance in the Quarter Final stages of The FA Women’s Cup.

And Cresswell, who has been called up to the England U19 squad as they bid to qualify for the UEFA European Championships, was quick to acknowledge her manager’s contribution.

"Our manager Lisa Dawkins has given each and every one of us in the squad the belief that we could compete against the best teams and players in the country," said Cresswell.

"She has dedicated a lot of time to the club over many years and our achievement is due to all the hard work Lisa and all the management have done with the club."

Forest looked all but down at the turn of the year having amassed just four points from 11 games, but a remarkable run of form which has seen them lose just once in their last six outings turned their season around.  Despite the difficult start, Cresswell maintains the players and staff never contemplated relegation.

"All the management and players remained positive from day one. We all knew it wouldn’t be easy and we took each game in our stride," Cresswell commented.

"We have picked up quite a few points in the last six games and this is due to the squad’s determination.

"We have a large number of players and everyone has played their part this season. Team spirit has always been a high at the club and we have stuck together as a whole and through determination have shown that anything is possible when you believe."

Dawkin’s side next face league action with two successive games against Chelsea before finishing the campaign at home to title contenders Everton.  And with safety guaranteed, Cresswell believes the club can now look up the table in the season’s closing stages.

"The season does not finish until our final game against Everton and I know that we will be striving to finish in as high a position as possible. We can only play our own game and hopefully we can get a favourable result.

"While Chelsea and Everton both have international players at all age groups, we know if we play to our ability we could gain something from any of the games."

While Cresswell is available for this weekend’s trip to Chelsea, international commitments mean she will miss Forest’s County Cup tie against Radcliffe Olympic as well as the home tie against Chelsea.