Yahoo Sports Thomas caps memorable month with five FA Cup goals
Ipswich Town forward Natasha Thomas capped an "impactful month" by scoring five goals as they beat MK Dons 12-0 to reach round two of the Women's FA Cup.
In the past few weeks, she has set a new record for the most games played for Ipswich Town Women by making her 217th appearance for the club.
And she also became the first Town player to appear in an international match when she made her debut for Jamaica against France.
"Since being away with Jamaica, I've come back with a different mindset to ensure I can not only help the team with goals and assists, but working hard for them, no matter who we're playing," the 28-year-old told BBC Radio Suffolk.
"It's been an impactful month for me. I think it's just [about] ensuring I don't get too high and I don't get too low."
On her international debut, she added: "It really was amazing and it's not just for me individually, it's for us as a club, a town and a community.
"I didn't feel fazed, I didn't feel scared when the gaffer called me up to go on the pitch. But I've got to keep working hard - yes, I've made my debut but now I need to make sure I'm at the next [training] camp and in contention to play then as well."
Thomas scored Ipswich's first goal against MK Dons on Sunday in the first minute from Shauna Guyatt's cross and rounded off their emphatic win with the final one in the 81st minute.
As well as her five, the other Town goals came from Angela Addison (2), Guyatt (2), Sophie Peskett, Leah Mitchell and Kyra Robertson.
But they could not quite match their tally against the same opponents a week earlier, when they beat MK Dons 13-0 in Women's National League Southern Premier.
Thomas played for Waveney and Lowestoft before joining Ipswich in 2019 and signing her first professional contract two years later - and she helped them reach the FA Cup quarter-finals in 2022.
"One of my proudest feelings is seeing Tash run out against France, knowing her story, how long she's been here, how hard she's worked, and some of the challenges, some obstacles and adversity [she's faced] along the way," said boss Joe Sheehan.
"If she doesn't score, we don't need to be harsh on her and when she does, we don't need to over-praise her because her [overall] contribution is brilliant.
"She's incredibly hard working with the ball or without the ball, her contribution to other players scoring is important, and she unselfishly occupies defenders."
Despite their cup run, Ipswich's main goal this season is to try and win promotion to the second tier of the women's game.
They are currently third in the table, with two games in hand on Hashtag United and Oxford United - and they face second-placed Oxford on 17 November following next Sunday's away game at Cheltenham Town.
