Morgan: Excellent Cup Run Provides Extra Motivation
- LCFC Women were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Bristol City in the Continental Tyres League Cup Semi-Finals at Twerton Park on Wednesday
- City had already made history by reaching the last four for the first time in their history
- Manager Jonathan Morgan was proud to see the team compete against Women's Super League opposition
- He now wants to ensure there is a successful end to the league campaign, which continues away at Durham next weekend
After reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup for the first time in the Club's history, Morgan expressed his pride in the players following a narrow 1-0 defeat by Bristol City on Wednesday evening.
Leicester battled until the last whistle at Twerton Park, creating several chances either side of Kiera Skeels' 72nd-minute winner for the Robins.
"I'm really proud of them," Morgan told LCFC TV after full-time. "I said to them before the game and really all week leading up to the game: 'If we can leave everything out on that pitch, win, lose or draw, I'll be happy'.
"I wanted to compete with a WSL team, but I didn't want to compete by just doing a deep block or being defensive. I wanted people to see that we can actually play football, go forward and [show] what we can do. I think the girls did that today.
"On another day, in the final third, a few more things would have clicked. But I think, in fairness to the girls, [it's] probably the first major semi-final they've ever had for the majority of them.
"I think nerves settled in in the first half, but I think in the second half we really showed what we are about and I think we're just very unlucky to concede the type of goal that we did. The ball just didn't roll for us, did it? I think sometimes that's the difference between games and obviously credit to Bristol.
"I felt that they were very resilient in the second half, in particular. They came at us in the first half. But I think on another day, if that ball did just roll for us, we could have had a couple of goals because we did exploit them a number of times.
"We just weren't as clinical as we would have liked to have been today. It's a tough one to take when you come so close."
After also beating Birmingham City on penalties in the group stage, the Foxes were the only Championship team in the last four of this season's competition.
Morgan believes there is extra motivation, now the players have got a taste of playing against Super League opposition during their cup run.
He continued: "We made history. We wanted to go one step further to the final, obviously, to play Chelsea at Vicarage Road. But to get to the semi-final, it's my first semi-final at this level, it was a proud moment for everybody in the Club.
"I think it's really galvanised us and this really does put things into perspective now, how much we want to be at this level, playing these teams week in, week out.
"We're still probably licking our wounds a little bit. But it's a good experience and something the girls will learn from."
Morgan's Pride Despite League Cup Exit
Jonathan Morgan reflected on LCFC Women's Continental Tyres League Cup campaign, which came to an end at the semi-finals stage on Wednesday.
Returning to the league campaign next Sunday when the Foxes travel to the North East to face Durham at Maiden Castle (12pm GMT kick-off), there is everything to play for as second meets first in the FA Women's Championship.
"They seem to be coming thick and fast for us at the minute," LCFC Women's manager added. "From January to now, we had Sheffield, Liverpool, then we had this game. Now we have Durham. You want the big games every single week, don't you?
"We're fortunate enough to be in a position where every game means something. Durham are going to be a difficult team, as we know, [we're] joint [on] points, so fingers crossed London City can do us a favour on Sunday.
"But the reality is, they've got their own momentum. They're working hard as well. It's not something we'll take lightly. But I do feel that if we can apply ourselves like we did tonight for the rest of season, I feel that we should have a positive end to it."