SAINTS defender Ashleigh Ward turned the focus onto reflection and improvement after her side were defeated 2-0 by Coventry United in their Continental Cup debut.

The New Zealand international completed her first 90 minutes for the club since signing in the summer, but was powerless to prevent defeat.

Saints still have matches with Reading and Tottenham Hotspur to come in the competition but it was a blow to lose away to fellow Championship challengers after a strong start in the league.

Marieanne Spacey-Cale used the match for some further rotation, with the likes of Ella Pusey and summer addition Megan Wynne getting starts.

“It’s obviously disappointing to have lost, in the first half we talked about the detail and we created some opportunities with the detail and information we’d given ourselves,” Ward told club media.

“In the second half we let ourselves down, and they scored from our mistakes. We created some opportunities in the second half but we all know we can play better.

“It’s a come back in on Tuesday, reflect, put it past us and work harder to put out performances we’re proud of situation.”

She continued: “It’s personal reflection and as a team, we all know we can do better and can out a better performance than that. We’re a team and will get around each other and work hard on the pitch next week.”

On her first 90 minutes as a Saints player, Ward added: “I’m obviously stoked to get 90 minutes but not so to have lost the game, but it’s showing the decision I’ve made is the right one.

“I’m happy to get 90 minutes, hopefully we can keep going, put in some performances and hopefully score or set up some goals.”

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