Flint Driven To Achieve Further Success

- LCFC Women confirmed the FA Women's Championship title via a 2-0 victory over London City
- Natasha Flint came off the bench to score the second goal at Farley Way Stadium on Sunday
- She told LCFC TV what it means to secure promotion to the Barclays FA Women's Super League
- There is still plenty to play for this season, including in the Vitality Women's FA Cup, she adds

City's 2-0 victory over London City Lionesses at Farley Way Stadium was the climax of a spectacular season which has seen the Foxes record 15 wins out of 18 and net a half century of league goals.

Top goalscorer Flint has 16 of those to her name, including the second goal which sealed Leicester's first-ever FA Women's Championship title on Sunday, and she described her emotions after securing a return to the pinnacle of the women's game.

"It's was unbelievable to be honest, knowing we could win the league on that day, it was all a bit up in the air," the forward admitted when speaking to LCFC TV earlier this week at the Belvoir Drive training ground. "Even before the game and obviously during the game as well.

"But to come off with a 2-0 win and for me to come on as score as well, it was just a great feeling. It was what we all deserved.

"I don't really get nervous in any game but I did get a little bit at the weekend. I think nerves can take over as well in your performance, but for me, I don't really feel the nerves in a bad way.

"I think everyone said from my celebration, I knew and everyone else knew that it finished the game off there. I don't usually celebrate, I don't know why, everyone says it, but I think I celebrated a little bit more on Sunday, so that was an important goal for me, especially coming on off the bench."

Although promotion has already been achieved with two league fixtures remaining, Flint believes that personal and collective targets will drive her and her team-mates on between now and the end of the campaign.

The group's focus and concentration, demonstrated throughout the campaign so far, will also be needed for next Sunday's Vitality Women's FA Cup Fourth Round tie at home to Liverpool (2pm BST kick-off).

The 24-year-old continued: "That's why I came to Leicester: to score goals. And the season has been a good one for me. I've come from Blackburn and stepped back up to full-time football again and my aim was to score goals and perform week in, week out.

"I think I've brought the goals in the majority of the games and there's a few games left, so for me I've got a little individual challenge to get the Golden Boot.

"There's two games left and then we'll see. As a striker, I think all forwards would like that, and it might be 14 in a row if we do win the next two games, so this season's not over yet.

"We won the league on Sunday, we celebrated and then we were straight back in. We had our normal Monday off for recovery and then went back in straight away on Tuesday.

"Everyone knows we've still got two league games to go and there's a few people who have still got those individual aims, for example Kirstie [Levell] with the Golden Glove as well. And, as a team, to win 14 games on the bounce would be brilliant.

"We've still got the FA Cup, which is a big tournament and we want to obviously get through to the next round and take each step as it comes. We've lost out on a lot of this season, playing with the situation and COVID, so to still have the FA Cup there is really good."

The ex-England youth international has already had a taste of playing in the top tier of women's football from her time with Manchester City and she is confident that the Club have the right blend of youth and experience to go well in the division.

"I'm just happy to be back in the WSL and with this team," Flint added. "We've achieved a lot this year and we've been through thick and thin, so I think we all deserve it and, as an individual, I can't wait.

"There is a mix [in the squad]. There are a few older players, a few younger players, a few that have already been there. It is a different league, it's completely different to the Championship. I do think every single one of the players here are ready to make that step.

"Since the start of the season, it was our main aim to get promoted so everything we've been doing, we've been trying to do it as a WSL team. Hopefully the majority of the girls are ready."