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Reggae Girlz face-off

Chelsea’s Spence relishing upcoming battles with Man City’s Shaw

Published:Wednesday | October 27, 2021 | 12:34 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
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Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw (left) denied a header by Brazil’s goalkeeper Babara Do Monte Barbosa in the Jamaica vs Brazil match in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, France on Sunday, June 9, 2019. Shaw, who plays for Man
Gladstone Taylor
Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw (left) denied a header by Brazil’s goalkeeper Babara Do Monte Barbosa in the Jamaica vs Brazil match in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, France on Sunday, June 9, 2019. Shaw, who plays for Manchester City, is set to come up against her Jamaican teammate, Chelsea’s Drew Spence, on Sunday.
Drew Spence.
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Drew Spence.
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NEWLY MINTED national women’s midfielder, Drew Spence, says that she is relishing her upcoming battles in England against her Reggae Girlz teammate, Khadija Shaw, while recognising the potential they have in driving forward the Reggae Girlz attack for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Spence, 29, who plays for the reigning FA Women’s Super League (WSL) champions Chelsea, was among the five players who got their international debut in Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Costa Rica.

Shaw, who plays for Manchester City, made her international return in the game after a 20-month hiatus.

While eager to develop that chemistry to fuel the Reggae Girlz World Cup qualifying ambitions, she is also relishing their eventual encounters in England this season. They will get their first taste this weekend when Chelsea play Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Women’s Cup on Sunday, before the two teams resume battle in league play on November 14.

Spence says that she is pleased with how Shaw has settled in her first season and has already warned her national teammate of what to expect from the fixture.

GREAT ASSET

“I’ve told her how intense it can get. But I think she is a great asset to Manchester City coming in this year and she has settled in really well in the English league. So I’m looking forward to facing her this year,” Spence told The Gleaner.

Shaw has scored six goals in all competitions for Manchester City so far this year, including two in league play.

In the aftermath of her first national camp and game for the Reggae Girlz, Spence said that she sees the foundation in place to build an attacking partnership with Shaw to spur the team’s attack.

“I know how much a leader she is and how much a good striker she is. I’m excited to play alongside her and really form that link up. It would take time to (do so), but I’m sure that relationship will be good in time,” Spence said.

Spence so far scored one goal in three appearances so far this season for Chelsea, the club she has played for since 2008.

Although she is determined to retain the WSL league title this year, it is European glory that she hopes to achieve the most, after losing the Women’s Champions League final 4-0 to Barcelona last May.

“It was more than devastating to get so far last year (and to lose). We really just weren’t good enough on the day. Obviously, we have got to improve,” Spence said. “Our goal is to win a Champions League now because we have won everything in England. I think that is the last little thing (left). If we get that then it would really complete it.”

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com