South Shields Women look to be backed by a strong 1st Cloud Arena crowd this Sunday when the lasses take on Hull United Women in the NERWFL Premier Division (2pm kick-off).
It will be the team’s first match in three weeks, after last weekend’s planned game against Wallsend BC Women was called off due to the bad weather, and the side’s first game at 1st Cloud Arena since October.
Nevertheless, it promises to be an exciting clash as the Mariners look to put together a winning run, facing off against a Hull United Women side who have won just four league games.
Divisional leaders Spennymoor Town Ladies extended their lead at the summit to three points, meaning the top six teams are separated by eight points as things stand.
Shields do have six games left of the season to salvage as many points as possible, while the Moors have three, so it remains a heavily-changing landscape.
Since the club was promoted into the fifth tier, the team’s best points finish is 37 points, which was recorded in 2018-19.
A win on Sunday would put the team within one win of breaking that tally. Offensively things are looking good too, with Shields just five shy of their post-promotion record (59 goals compared to this season’s 54 goals scored).
And at the back, the Mariners have kept six clean sheets in the league which is a divisional joint-best with Barnsley FC Women. One more would see the side break club records there as well.
Alex’s thoughts
Head coach Alex Miller has made sure, in the absence of a competitive game, that the team has kept sharp and active in training over the past handful of weeks ahead of the side’s return to action.
“Just making sure we’re as prepared as possible,” she reflected.
“It is a completely different challenge this weekend, and it’s just making sure that we’ve adapted our mindset and our tactics to suit that sort of game.
“And hopefully, despite the weather, we’ll be able to go ahead and do that.”
Information for supporters
Kick-off at 1st Cloud Arena (NE32 3UP) is at 2pm this Sunday, April 14th.
Admission is £3 for adults while under 12s go free.