Charlton Athletic Women’s team manager Riteesh Mishra was left with immense pride following his side’s victory over Blackburn Rovers in the FA Women’s Premier League Championship Play-off.
The Addicks came back from a goal down to beat the Northern Premier League champions 2-1 thanks to goals from Kit Graham and Georgia Griffin.
When speaking to Valley Pass Riteesh Mishra said he felt proud of the players and staff.
On winning the match…
“I’m lost for words. In the last 15 minutes we were hanging on, we missed a penalty in the last couple of minutes and I thought is that going to be another twist and turn, but this is everything we have worked for since I’ve been in this club and in this role.
“The two feelings I have are being immensely proud of the coaches, the players, the staff, everyone involved with the club, and I’m just relived after a long hard fighting season. The last three months have been very difficult on the players and staff and I’m so pleased it’s all come out now on the final day.”
On going a goal down…
“I didn’t actually panic. We prepared for those scenarios, we didn’t change our game plan and didn’t play as well as we have first half, but the confidence we took from only allowing [Blackburn] a chance from our mistake gave us confidence to grow into the game”
On Katie Startups’ first-half save to keep Charlton in the game…
“Everybody played their part, it was a brilliant brilliant save and kept us in the game. You go two goals down and it’s a different [half-time] team talk. Instead we managed to grab ourselves back into the game and score two quick fire goals and our team talk was about calming our nerves.
“They was brilliant save from Katie today, she was tremendous. She dealt with crosses which we knew [Blackburn] were going to do”
On the two goals score...
“It’s having the players with the quality to be able to get onto the stage and fortunately we had that today with Kit Graham, Charlie Clifford and Georgia Griffin all playing big parts for the goals.
But everybody was good, the back four- unbelievable, the two holding midfielders who had some issues with fitness - unbelievable work ethic.
On playing in the newly formed Women's Championship next season...
“I don’t know if it’s been confirmed yet, we are waiting and hoping our bid is successful but you like to think now we have won this game we have got there on merit.
“It’s what we have been working towards. I think we need time for it to sink in. This is a huge moment. Women’s football is going in new places quite quickly and we are part of that.
“I think we are good enough for the league with a few additions and few changes but for now I think we have to understand the magnitude for what we have achieved and go and celebrate."