Sharpshooter Baker confident St George can return to Glory Days

As we look towards the hopeful end of the enforced break, there’s much to be said about the battle for promotion in this year’s NPL 2 NSW Women’s competition and with 18 goals in 11 games, St. George FC’s Jordan Baker is doing all she can to ensure her side books their spot.

It’s a goal scoring run that every forward dreams of.

We’ve become accustomed to seeing numbers like this but they’re normally doing it on our television screens and in some of football’s greatest arenas.

For a down to earth Baker though, she was quick to praise the team, pointing the spotlight on them.

“Yeah I’m pretty happy with my performances if i’m honest. I’ve never started this well before I don’t think but it’s nothing without the team.

“I’m lucky to be surrounded by some fantastic players. They’re the ones playing the ball into me and putting it on a plate for me so I really do have them to thank for the goals.”

With just five points separating 1st and 5th, Baker’s dead eye in front of goal has been crucial for St George this season.

When we see campaigns so tight at the top it almost always comes down to a handful of chances that go astray when it matters most.

And it’s because of this that Baker believes the team has to keep their eyes firmly fixed on the task at hand.

“We started strong with a run of wins but heading into the break we hit a bit of mid season slump. The results that went against us quickly saw us drop from 1st to 3rd in the blink of an eye.

“It’s been a crazy season with some crazy results. Because of that you have to go in each week knowing that it will be a battle and a half.”

It is clear that Baker, one of the most experienced in her side, doesn’t want to let the opportunity in front of them fall by the wayside.

It’s with this in mind that she has kept herself fit and ready to go once lockdown ends.

“I’ve been getting pretty bored if i’m honest. Lockdown started right in the middle of school holidays so being a PE teacher it’s extended my time off.

“However, I know once the season gets going again that it’s all to play for so I’ve been doing some training to make sure I’m ready to go.”

And when the season begins once more there will be little room for error for any side in the top five. Coming off what Baker declared as a mid-season slump, you can be sure she’ll be ready and waiting to find the back of the net, again.

“We became too predictable. Teams were figuring us out too easily so we need to be ready to work hard and find that unpredictable edge again.

“When we play with that unpredictable edge I’d back us against any side, anywhere on the table so that’s where we need to get back to.”

-By Joseph Esposito