Jane Ross was delighted to score West Ham United’s winning strike in Sunday’s 1-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Aston Villa, describing the goal as a ‘typical Jane Ross finish’.
The Scotland international pounced from six yards on 26 minutes away to Villa to tuck home against Championship side Villa and send the Irons into the last four of the prestigious competition.
With ten goals for the season now for Ross, the No9 was thrilled to score the type of strike that has typified her exemplary career in front of goal.
In and around the six-yard box, it was a typical Jane Ross finish! I’m just happy to have been able to get on the scoresheet and help the team get through.
Jane Ross
“We’re really pleased to be heading into the semi-finals,” Ross said. “Our main aim was to get the win and we’re happy to have done that.
“In and around the six-yard box, it was a typical Jane Ross finish! I’m just happy to have been able to get on the scoresheet and help the team get through.
“It was probably the best move we had all game. We moved the ball through the team, played a few one-two touches, and managed to get the good move from it. Leanne had the shot, and I was able to follow in for the rebound.”
Having set up with a 4-4-2 in the first half, West Ham reverted back to the usually seen 4-3-3 in the second period, and Ross believes that the switch helped the Irons take control of the fixture.
She continued: “We changed formation a little bit in the second half and we were maybe a little bit more dominant and created a number of chances. It was something we need to look at, being more clinical in those areas.
“Being up 1-0 is always a scary scoreline to be playing on. If we had the second goal, it would have finished the game.
“Villa made it a challenging match for us and pushed us right to the end. I think, overall, that we were the better team but they gave us a tough match.”
West Ham discovered their semi-final fate on Monday morning and have been drawn away to Reading FC Women in the last four of the competition.
Ross knows a trip to the Royals will be a tricky test but is looking forward to the challenge they will offer, with the winners just 90 minutes away from Wembley Stadium.
She added: “If you want to win the trophy, you’ve got to play the best teams. Regardless of who we were drawn against, it will be an exciting game. I’m looking forward to this match against Reading.”