Leandra Smeda: Experience starting to pay dividends

Smeda has maintained the top goal scorer spot in the Hollywoodbets Super League since August, with 22 goals to her name so far – her latest having been an all-important goal in Galaxy's 1-0 win over University of Fort Hare on Wednesday. 

Speaking to SABC Sport, the former Banyana Banyana forward says she is happy to have helped the team collect maximum points and solidify their second spot on the log. 

“I think the experience I’ve gained over the years is a good attributer to my current form, having played in different leagues and countries," said Smeda.

"But also the support I get from my teammates and technical team has been really good in helping with my confidence and the belief they have in me and my qualities. 

"I just always feel like I should try to stay consistent in games to kind of pay them back in a way and help the team collect maximum points whenever we play. 

“The goal [vs UFH] was an important goal for us, because JVW is just behind us on the log. At the moment we have a better goal difference than them so we couldn’t afford to have dropped points."

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The Mpumalanga outfit will next face University of Pretoria at Tuks Stadium on on 23 November, and Smeda believes it will be a tight contest seeing that both teams are on form at the moment.

“It won’t be an easy game. Tuks beat TUT yesterday so they’re full of confidence and playing at home, and would like to end in the top eight at least," she added.

"We beat them in the first round, but they will be a different team this time around so we just have to go out there and go for maximum points." 

With three fixtures to wrap up the season, the Queens have managed to secure 19 wins in 27 outings, and the 36-year-old firmly believes they remain on course to finish strong. 

“It is very important for us to finish strong. We win our three remaining games and we end second on the log, and it will be an improvement from last season. We really can’t afford to drop any points in the next three fixtures,” she concluded.