Lauren Hemp Shines in Super League
Norfolk superstar Lauren Hemp is currently one of the hottest properties in women's football and can take her stunning start to the new season to even greater heights this weekend.
The 26-year-old from North Walsham has started the new season with four goals in four Super League games for Manchester City, plus two assists, after a brace against Arsenal on Sunday extended her club's winning run to five with a 4-2 comeback win at the Etihad Stadium.
Hemp's goal tally is just two off her tally from last season, when she netted six times in 26 appearances across all competitions.
"It's nice to have scored a few more goals than last season already," said Hemp, whose career began at Norwich City when she was eight years old.
England's Key Player for World Cup Playoffs
Now Hemp will be pivotal when she pulls on the England jersey for a crucial World Cup play-offs double header against Greece over the next week.
First up is an away leg in Crete on Friday before the return at Leicester's King Power Stadium next Tuesday. The winners face either Slovakia or Ukraine over two legs during the final international window of the year in November and December, with the prize a place at next summer's finals in Brazil.
Hemp's Secret to Scoring Success
The secret of her success appears fairly simple for Hemp, who has now moved into the top three for all-time Manchester City appearances after featuring for the 205th time at the weekend.
"I feel like last season maybe my first thought was how can I get a cross into the box," she said. "And I think this year I've kind of thought I didn't get myself in scoring positions last season. So I thought I'll try and do it this season and I've found myself a little closer to the box and I've been practising it a lot in training."
"I'm giving it a go and just having that confidence to have a shot because if you don't shoot you don't score. So I think that's probably what has changed this season. I always look for the cross first and foremost and how I can play my mates in. But if I can have a shooting chance myself then I need to take it."
For more details, visit The Pink'un.