Leah White is keen to keeping working hard to earn some vital game time for Forfar Farmington as the season enters the halfway point.
The 18 year old defender has been restricted to just five appearances so far as Farmington build a fantastic run of form, however she is delighted to be learning from those keeping her out of the team.
White reckons the morale in the dressing room is high at the moment with five wins from their last six games seeing the side sit in fourth place in the Scottish Women’s Premier League One and hopes it will continue.
“The girls are all on top form at the moment and the last few games have been exciting to watch and be part of. Everyone is buzzing to be picking up points and climbing our way up the table, we are currently sitting in a really good position and everyone is really happy with the team’s performances.”
“The atmosphere in the dressing room both before and after games is great, everyone is excited and encouraging towards one another and the great team spirit at Farmington is something I love being a part of.”
The defender, who came all the way through the Farmington youth system, feels that despite the season going well, her confidence hasn’t been great with a lack of game time due to the performances of others.
“The season so far has been really good in terms of team performance and winning vital games to get us points to ensure we are keeping ourselves in the top half of the table.”
“As one of the youngest members of the team, my own confidence this season has been low due to lack of game time and I don’t feel I have performed my best in the games I have been given the chance to play in due to not playing regularly enough.”
“I will continue working hard in training to improve all aspects of my game and hopefully will get some vital game time during the remainder of the season which will hopefully help me regain my confidence.”
White made her Farmington debut as a 15 year old in June 2015 and she believes she is involved with a great squad, with the teenager eager to learn from her teammates and progress herself on and off the pitch.
“The girls are a great bunch and I learn from them all the time. During games and training they talk to me and guide me through situations, allowing me to learn as I play. I feel I’m always learning and there’s always something I can improve on with the help of the girls around me.
“Alana, both on and off the pitch, always keeps me right and encourages me 100%, and I think sometimes when your confidence is low, all you need is someone to tell you that you’re playing well to motivate you a bit more.”
With the main squad out of action due to the international break, White was afforded the chance to get some game time under her belt with Jeff Rioch’s Ladies side and she found herself on the scoresheet with a rare goal as Farmington defeated Turriff United 5-0 away from home.
The defender was pleased to be able to get a full 90 minutes and praised Rioch’s side for being so welcoming.
“I think it’s great to be able to play for the Ladies team every so often. I really enjoyed the game with them this weekend and to get the full 90 minutes and score a goal was great for me. It’s a great opportunity to get a run out after not getting much game time for a while and the girls are a very friendly and welcoming group.”
Mark Nisbet’s side return to action this Sunday and it is a big week for Farmington with three games against Glasgow City in the cup before a midweek trip to Hibernian; the week is rounded off with another visit by City in the league.
White is confident the squad can take something from the three games, pointing out the tight 1-0 defeat to City in April where the side were unlucky not to take a point right at the death.
“We have a tough week coming up with City twice and Hibs, but I don’t think it’s anything that the girls can’t handle. We have been on top form the past few games, picking up vital points and we will work hard in training to ensure we prepare ourselves for these big games the best we can.”
“I have 100% belief in all of the girls to go out there and perform the way we know we can, hopefully we will get something out of these games and show the rest of the league what we are capable of. We were unlucky in April with a narrow 1-0 defeat against City and if we can improve on that performance hopefully we can take something from the games.”