C&K BASILDON Ladies captain Claire Lacey says a solid defence will be key as they continue to defy the critics and impress at a higher level.

The experienced defender has been a vital cog in the C&K backline this season and was again impressive as they beat Coventry United 1-0 in the FA Women’s Premier League Cup on Sunday.

The win made it back-to-back victories on the road, following C&K’s win by the same scoreline at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, and have been dubbed as a team to watch following their promotion to the Women’s Premier League Southern Division this year.

And Lacey says the team are looking like a complete unit at the back, as Karissa Rodney’s goal proved enough to see them into next round.

“If you don’t concede goals you don’t lose matches,” she said. “We hadn’t played there before so it was a new experience for all of us,” she said. “We know they got a good result in the league early on (beating West Ham Ladies 5-0) but we also knew we would not make it easy for them.

“Both sides had some players missing but although they had some key individuals out so did we and we did well to stick together and focus on the game.

“The team has been steady at the back and it was really pleasing to get the goal before half-time and then hold out until the end. If I could win 1-0 every week I definitely would!”

Coventry had started the season with two wins from two, scoring eight times and not conceding but that didn’t faze C&K.

Manager Steve Tilson brought in Katie Sorenson, Laken Duchar-Clark, Sophie Blowers and Karissa Rodney for their first starts of the season.

Goalkeeper Cherie Rowlands was the busier of the two goalkeeper in the early stages, although Zoe Rushen, who scored the winner at Spurs last weekend, was denied up the other end.

Rodney fired an effort onto the roof of the net before the opening goal came. A free-kick from Amy Nash was helped back into the penalty area by Lacey headed and Rodney struck the ball home.

Karen Stephanou was inches away from doubling the advantage in the second-half, but she missed the target and, despite a couple of late effort from the hosts, C&K held on for the win.

And Lacey says the team are in a good place, although she is wary that the team will come under increasing pressure as the games pile-up, with midweek games soon added to their schedule.

“We take on Cardiff next week and we are looking forward to getting back to playing at home before a run of three away games. We start playing midweek games soon as well so that will put a bit of a strain on the group, who all have 9-5 jobs or are at University.

“But this is a very tight group and there is a real sense of solidarity here which makes my job as captain much easier. We respect each other and there is no negativity at all, which makes my job easier.”

C&K host Cardiff City Ladies on Sunday at the Frost Financial Stadium, kick-off at 2pm.