Women aim to continue fine start against Wallsend

South Shields Women will be hoping to make it three wins from three in the league when they take on Wallsend BC Women at Kirkley Park on Sunday (2pm kick-off). Last week saw the Mariners keep their second clean sheet of the season in a routine 5-0 dismantling of Redcar Town Ladies. Sophie Greener and Eve Gatens both got a brace while Jaz Elliott-Wood managed a header of her own. Opponents Wallsend BC head into the game having played just one fixture rather than two in the NERWFL Premier Division; their home tie against Barnsley FC last week was abandoned due to the inclement weather closer to home. Jen Wootten was on fire in last season’s equivalent game, as her hat-trick secured Shields the three points back in September when the Mariners came out 3-2 winners.

Matt’s thoughts Head coach Matt Gatiss feels Wallsend BC might be surprised by Shields’ new attacking identity, not least because the teams are so familiar with each other having shared a spot in the league since the Mariners' promotion into the division in 2018. “We’ve played each other loads, and we know what each other’s all about,” he said. “I think they’ll get a bit of a surprise with how we’re playing now. “Wallsend have got a really class system, three from youth, up to devs, reserves, first-team and they’ve got a great set up. “It’s a great feel of a club but we’ll go there playing on a big 3G that should suit us. “So, it’s again looking at the opposition, riding out what will probably be the first 10 to 15 minutes, before strangling the game from then on.”

Information for supporters Kick-off on Sunday at Kirkley Park (NE28 8SX) is at 2pm. Admission is free and all supporters are welcome to come along and cheer on the lasses as they look to fight off strong competition at the top of the league. Any gesture of support is kindly appreciated by everyone involved with the club.

Image: Craig McNair / ID Event Photography.