Lynn Williams brought a “calmness and confidence” to Melbourne Victory during her Derby heroics, according to Head Coach Jeff Hopkins.
Introduced in the 62nd minute at AAMI Park on Sunday, Williams scored what proved to be the winner eight minutes later in a 2-1 success over City.
Victory was trailing when the United States international was introduced before Catherine Zimmerman equalised and Williams found the winner, Hopkins’ side holding on following Amy Jackson’s late red card.
Hopkins was delighted with Williams’ impact on her Club debut, with Victory needing a comeback following Jackson’s first-half own goal.
“As far as the impact she made, I think for the first five minutes or so she maybe had one or two touches but it just seemed she brought a calmness and confidence to the team just being on the field,” he said.
“I think there was a change in us and obviously as she got into the game a little bit more, scored the goal, she had the impact I hoped.
“Getting the winning goal was obviously a pretty important impact to have.”
Hopkins decided against starting Williams, opting not to introduce the attacker until after the hour-mark.
The Victory Head Coach said his decision was based on a desire to ensure Williams could have a major impact for the entirety of her loan.
“She just wanted to play, which is fantastic,” Hopkins said.
“We needed to just be a little bit careful with her, we want her to make as big an impact over these next three or four weeks as she possibly can and we’re thinking next week as well as this week so I think things worked out just right.
“She got around about 30 minutes plus and she got through it really well which means now we can move her onto next week and look at maybe starting her next week and getting a full game out of her.”
