Aberdeen Women forward Soraya Walsh took the time to reflect on her start to life in the North-east, and to preview Sunday’s game against Hibernian at Balmoral Stadium.
Kick-off is 1pm this weekend, with tickets available online now.
Heading for ABZ
“I’m really enjoying it. I’m getting along with all the girls. feel like I’ve settled in easily here.
“It was quite a random move. I left West Ham in the summer and then was looking for a club, a new environment, when I heard Aberdeen came up, I thought playing in the Scottish League, that was the best opportunity for me at the time.
“I had a lot of experience in tier three. Tier three is a very physical league, but it’s very physical in this league.
“Here I’m coming up against players that I’ve obviously against in the WSL, and you come across more of those kinds of players than you do in tier three.”
Learning at West Ham
“It was an amazing experience. The quality is just unreal. And being around the top players and just getting to share their experiences and having that quality around obviously, it pushes you and gives you kind of that mentality of a professional player. So being in that environment I think has really helped me as a young player to bring that quality here.
“When Katrina Gorry was there, I used to get a lot of advice from her about the mental side of the game. She really helped me when I was there, just helped me believe and give me that confidence to go for one-vs-ones and be that attacking player that she knows that I can do.
“I think little bits of advice from Riko Ueki, she was another one, and watching players like Vivianne Asseyi, obviously trying to bring what she does in her game into mine.”
Familiar faces
“I am enjoying it. I think being with the girls as well, it’s made it a lot easier and because I’d say there’s not as much to do as there is in London. We’ve had some nice trips. Everyone speaks about there, everyone likes it there.
“When Katie and Sal told me they were coming as well, I was so excited, because I was like, what are the chances that both of you are joining in the same team as me? That’s been a big help and obviously they know the way I play. I know the way they play, so it’s made it easier to settle in.
“You can see the quality they both have. I’m really glad they are both here.”
Adjusting to the SWPL
“At the start it’s always difficult. You’re settling into a new team, you may not quite have that match fitness yet.
“But I think in recent games, I feel like I’m getting up to speed with the match and the team environment, and I feel like I’m getting my match fitness, and I can make an impact in games.”
Leading the line
“100%. I think the most important thing for me is to try and create as many opportunities as possible and help the team out as much as possible in front of goal.
“I’ve always been more of a winger. I’ve played there more or less my whole life, my whole career. I’ve not had much experience as a striker; that’s something that is new to me.
“I'm enjoying it. I was saying to Nathan the other day that I’ve enjoyed playing striker. I feel like it’s a new skill set in my locker – the hold-up play, trying to be clinical, making runs in behind… I’m more naturally a winger, but I’ll play anywhere.
“I think that’s a big thing that I’ve always wanted to add into my game as well, being able to get an opportunity and get a goal or an assist or something from a half chance. You might only have one or two chances in a game, you need to capitalise on it.
“I am 100% enjoying it, the pressure. It is quite new for me. With West Ham, I was one of the youngest players and didn’t have as much time on the pitch, so to go from that to playing a role where I’m starting every week and I’ve got a responsibility to put in a performance, I think it’s really important for my development.”
Looking to Hibs
“Obviously, the game against Rangers was better from us. There are a lot of positives to take from that. Going into Hibs, I think as a team we’re going to take a lot of confidence.
“There was a lot of belief in the game on Sunday, so hopefully we can take that belief into this Sunday and know that we can compete against the better teams in the league.
“We know we have the quality. Technically we’re a good team, that when we want to be physical, we are also a physically good team.
“But I think it’s just having that belief every weekend, no matter who we play. But also making sure that we don’t just bring that confidence and belief in the games where we play the bigger teams, we need to start bringing it as well when we play the teams around us.”
