GOAL-GETTER Beth Lumsden insisted Saints Women would “need to be ambitious as a squad” and finish as high as they could “if not win” the Championship next season.

The clinical striker arrived on the south coast from Oxford United this summer, where she helped the U’s to second place in the Women’s National League behind Saints.

Lumsden scored 27 goals in 33 appearances for Oxford last season, having previously also represented Charlton and Millwall.

She also spent time in the Arsenal academy, as well as Chelsea.

Marieanne Spacey-Cale’s charges have started their full-time programme this summer, having sealed promotion to the second tier of the women’s game.

Asked for her hopes for the squad having now trained with her teammates, Lumsden told the club website: “I think we just need to be ambitious as a squad. Just want to finish as high up, if not win the Championship.

“I think everyone’s ambition is pretty much the same – just talking to the girls. Just to finish as high and do as well as we can each game.”

Asked about her own targets for the season ahead, the forward remained tight-lipped when thinking about a goal target.

She added: “Obviously it’s a tougher league but just score as many as I can.

“I am going to set myself a target but I am not too sure how many that is yet. I am not going to share it just yet!”

Asked about making the transition to train at Staplewood full-time, the striker said: “As soon as I came down here I was sold straight away.

“Seeing the facilities we’ve got around the training ground and everything we are allowed to use – it kind of sells itself.

“I don’t think you could get any better facilities anywhere else.

“It’s any little girl’s dream who likes to play football – it’s amazing. I am buzzing to get it underway and get started with the girls.”

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