Hotshot Hayles ready to fly with newly-promoted Robins

Bristol City goal machine Shania Hayles is ready to take the Women's Super League by storm.

Hayles, 23, made a stunning impact after joining the Robins from Aston Villa in 2022, netting 13 times in all competitions to help fire her new side to the Championship title.

Lauren Smith's side begin their campaign against Leicester at Ashton Gate on Sunday and their powerful No9 is focused on picking up where she left off last term.

Speaking exclusively to LiveScore, Hayles said: "I'm very confident stepping back into the WSL. This season is coming at a great time for me.

"Obviously it's a much tougher league with some big teams. But for me the aim is still the same every time I step on the pitch.

"I want to help my team out by scoring goals, so I just need to keep doing the same things and when the chances come, make sure the ball keeps hitting the back of the net."

Test against the best

Having represented England at youth level and Jamaica on the senior stage, facing the world's best is something Hayles relishes.

The Burton-born finisher explained: "Everyone wants to perform against the top teams and top players. 

"To come up against a Millie Bright or a Leah Williamson — and hopefully get the better of them — is what we all dream of doing.

"Those kinds of experiences are only going to make me and my team-mates better."

Hayles, who was also prolific when her former club Villa clinched promotion from the second tier in 2019-20, admits her self-belief has never been higher.

She added: "Goalscoring has always been one of my strongest attributes and moving to Bristol allowed me to get a lot more minutes than I had been previously.

"My confidence really shot up throughout last season because they showed so much belief in me.

"Every time I played I was thinking about scoring, thinking about what my next celebration would be."

Here to compete

Back in English football's top division after a two-year absence, Hayles and her fellow Robins intend to make the club's stay a long one.

She said: "We've got a strong team already and have brought in some great players over the summer — some of which have huge experience.

"Primarily, it'll be about us going into each game with a positive mentality and looking to achieve something, whether it's a win, draw or a positive performance."

Though the forward knows some tough afternoons are in store, there is a strong determination to be competitive on a weekly basis.

Hayles added: "For me, we played Manchester City twice last year and obviously lost both games by big scorelines. 

"I want to go back there this season and show everyone how ready we are and how we can compete with the best.

"I don't want any big scores this year against us. We know it's going to be tough but we're here to prove ourselves and I think we're ready."