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MARY EARPS says she wants to repay the faith shown in her by Kelly Chambers after becoming Reading Women’s first choice goalkeeper.
Earps joined the club in February from Bristol City following Royals promotion to WSL 1 and initially had to settle for a place on the bench as backup to Grace Moloney.
But after coming into the side for her league debut in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland in May, Earps has kept her spot with Moloney departing the club on loan to WSL 2 side Aston Villa.
And fresh from a stand-out display in the weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, the goalkeeper says she is delighted with her run in the side.
“I’m pleased that the management have shown that faith in me,” Earps told The Wokingham Paper.
“I’m hoping that I can just repay them by performing as best as I can on the pitch in training and working as hard as I possibly can.
“I’ve really enjoyed being in so far and now I’m in full time with the girls, I’m really looking forward to just being the best that I can.
“Hopefully we can put in some great performances and pick up some great results.”
Despite defeat in the Continental Cup against Arsenal, Earps followed up her clean sheet against Birmingham with another fine performance including a superb triple save in the first half.
But the 23-year-old admits she cannot really recall each individual stop.
“To be honest I can’t even remember them now!” she said.
“I just remember trying to spread myself as much as possible and trying to stop the ball going in the back of the net.
“It’s not often that you get to pull off three saves in a row, it doesn’t happen that way.
“So I was just really pleased I could keep the team in the game for that moment.”
Many fans were surprised to see Moloney depart the club during the transfer window.
The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper was a key part of the side which earned promotion and
produced a number of top saves during the early part of this campaign, but manager Kelly Chambers says it was Moloney’s decision to leave.
“It was more of a personal thing for Grace,” Chambers told The Paper.
“She wanted to play minutes which is always hard for a goalkeeper but Mary was outstanding and for me she was player of the match against Arsenal.
“We probably would’ve conceded more goals without her.”
She continued: “At the end of the day (Grace) is playing games now and hopefully she can come back and compete.
“They are two quality goalkeepers who both want to be playing and there is only one position to fight for and they need to fight it out.”
