C&K BASILDON Ladies goalkeeper Cherie Rowlands believes the team will be back firing on all cylinders soon, as the squad gels following a number of new additions.

Rowlands, who joined the club from Watford in the summer, has been an ever-present in goal this season and was between the sticks as C&K crashed out of the League Cup on Saturday against Tottenham Hotspur.

C&K lost 5-2 at the Frost Financial Stadium, but Rowlands believes it is only a matter of time before the team clicks, with four players from West Ham United joining the squad in the past month.

“We are still adapting and learning each other’s games,” said the 27-year-old. “They are very good players and know each other’s style well but that has to change to suit this team and that takes time.

“I don’t think people are too unhappy with where we are in the league at the moment. We got a good start but need to pick it up now and I think after Christmas we will know each other inside out and push on.”

“We were well beaten but Tottenham are a really strong attacking side so it was always going to be tough.”

Nicola Dunsden scored her first goal for the club on Saturday, with Karissa Rodney grabbing a late consolation, although it was Spurs who scored early on, with Rowlands at her best to keep it at 1-0, with two fine saves soon after.

C&K levelled midway through the half when Rodney pounced on a poor back pass and pulled the ball back to Dunsdon who volleyed home.

But they were only level for four minutes, and Spurs went 3-1 ahead 60 seconds into the second-half, with a fourth coming 10 minutes later.

Basildon pulled a goal back with 11 minutes through Rodney but Spurs netted a fifth to seal a comprehensive win.

C&K Basildon: Rowlands, Carty, Smith, Lacey, Porter, Stephanou, Rodney, Dunsden, Rushen, Blowers (Bryant) and Nash. Unused subs: Thain and Kinsalla.