ESME MORGAN dedicated her first-ever goal for Manchester City to her great aunt who passed away a day before.
The defender opened up her account as a senior player for the WSL giants in City’s 4-0 rout of Birmingham.
The England Under-21 starlet, whose team face West Ham in their WSL final game this term, tucked the ball across the line in the 85th minute of the clash.
But her special moment was tinged with sadness as her great aunt Rita did not get to cheer on her effort.
Rita, a life-long City fan who previously attended Morgan’s matches, had tragically passed away just 24 hours before the game.
And Sheffield-born Morgan, who was visibly emotional after her side’s win, dedicated her strike to Rita who had a huge impact on her life.
Morgan told Man City’s web site: “My great aunt passed away and she used to sit in the front row.
“She used to come to every single home game and loved cheering us on from the stands.
“And I thought, it’s just so typical, we’ve waited so long for me to score my first goal.
“And just one day too late almost, but at the same time it’s almost the perfect tribute because she’ll be looking down somewhere celebrating I’m sure.
“She would have loved to be here but I’m so proud that I sort of paid tribute to her in the best way I could think which is to score for City, the club she loved so much.”
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“In terms of the goal, it definitely was not as glamorous as I’d had dreamed!
“I actually said to some of the girls: ‘No-one has ever celebrated such a trickly goal!
“It bobbled in slow motion – I haven’t actually watched it many times – but I was so giddy!
“Although it wasn’t the screamer I’d hoped for, the feeling was exactly how I’d imagined – just sheer joy when I saw it go in!
“Hopefully, I can use it as a springboard to get some more!”
Morgan, who has made 11 WSL appearances for City this term, says she felt euphoric after scoring and hopes her debut goal will be the first of many.
And the Citizens player, who spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Everton, could be in line for starting spot against the Irons.
Team boss Gareth Taylor will be hoping his side can register another win with their WSL title duel with Chelsea going right to the wire.
City currently sit at the summit of the WSL table a point above Chelsea who play Tottenham in their penultimate league game this term.
And Taylor’s aces without the attacking prowess of Chloe Kelly who is out of action for a lengthy period due to ACL injury to her knee.
Morgan revealed she and her team-mates were distraught to see Kelly go off injured but said the striker is feeling “positive.”
Morgan added: “We were so gutted for Chloe. No-one wishes that on anyone and she’d been playing so well.
“Just before she went off, she told Ellen [White] to score a goal for her, although Ellen was substituted shortly after.
“After the game, I went in to see her and she was buzzing I’d scored.
“She’s feeling quite positive, looking on the bright side of things so she’s doing as well as she could be.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
