The Burr necessities

Kelsie Burrows says Cliftonville Ladies have started the season as they mean to continue, but insists they still have gears to climb.

The Reds return to Sports Direct Premiership action when they face Linfield Women at Midgley Park this evening and, having won all three of their League games to date, Burrows is understandably keen to maintain their winning form – although she’s well aware that her former Club also have designs on the title.

“We are expecting a new challenge from Linfield with the different players they have brought in over the winter period,” she explains.

“It’s unfair to rule any team out of the equation especially this early as anything can happen during the season, but we will just focus on ourselves and ensuring we do what is needed to keep us at the top of our game.”

Having booked progress to the VBET Women’s League Cup Final as well as the second round of the County Antrim Cup alongside their perfect Premiership record, Burrows believes the effort that she, her team-mates and the Cliftonville coaching staff put into their preparations is key to the positive start they have enjoyed to the campaign.

“Our training session intensity and team performances have been at a high quality and our work rate week in, week out has been excellent,” adds the 23-year-old, who was part of the Northern Ireland squad for the double header of European Championship qualifiers with Portugal over the course of the past week.

“However, we know that we still have a lot more to give but we have started off the League how we want to continue.”