For Lydia Williams, the Westfield W-League bye has come at a good time.

The break has given the 30-year-old goalkeeper the chance to pause, ever so briefly, and reflect on a milestone 10 years in the making.

Just last week, Williams played in her 100th Westfield W-League fixture, a career that has taken in three Championships, one with Canberra United and two with current club Melbourne City.

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“It was pretty amazing,” Williams told w-league.com.au.

“I was talking to someone and I couldn’t even remember my first game for Canberra when obviously the W-League started - but it was against Newcastle.

“It was kind of fitting that the 100th game was against Newcastle as well - so the significance of that is pretty cool in itself.

“When I first started playing, I never set out to set records or have a milestone or anything. It was always just for the love of the game and bettering myself.

“To reach that [milestone], I never would have dreamed it. I’m just over the moon - it’s kind of crazy that I’ve been playing in this league for 10 years. That’s amazing.”



Despite City’s slow start to the 2018/19 season, Williams does not believe her and her teammates are suffering from a lack of motivation.

The Melbourne-based club is aiming for their fourth Championship in a row and, under new coach Rado Vidosic, have had to get used to a new style of play.

“Coaches want to implement their style of play so you have to adjust pretty quickly … I think we have but obviously it has come to our detriment at times, with some of our results,” Williams added.

“We’re getting girls back after injury or time off [too] so it’s starting to come together.”

City had won just one of their first five matches before a morale-boosting 3-1 win in Newcastle last week - a massive result in the context of their season, according to Williams.

“It was massive. I think everyone was kind of at that point of ‘where’s the change going to happen?’,” she said.

“I think the game on the weekend really took a bit of the pressure off.

“Having everyone back and getting the result that we did at the weekend I think is a good sign - hopefully we keep the momentum going.”



Williams also said the competition in the Westfield W-League was hotter than ever, due to the smart business conducted by many clubs.

“The W-League has gotten better this year. Everyone has recruited really well,” she added.

“There’s national team girls in form as well and internationals that people have brought over are pretty quality. Just the competition in itself - it’s just flown.

“Obviously when you get a change of coach and a change of players, it takes a little while to mesh and get that chemistry … [but] I think the thing about City is when it’s always come down to the pressure, we’ve always been pretty good.

“I think when it comes down to crunch time, we’ll be able to turn it on and get the results when it matters.”