South Shields Women have second place in their sights as they host Redcar Town at 1st Cloud Arena on Sunday (2pm kick-off).
The lasses return for their penultimate match of the NERWFL Premier Division campaign knowing that two wins would be enough to secure second spot.
Shields came out 3-1 winners in last month’s away encounter, after an Eve Gatens brace and Jen Wootten goal saw them emerge victorious in Redcar.
Redcar come into the match having won two of their last six league matches, drawing one while losing the remaining three.
Coach’s views
Player/coach Alex Miller is striving for second, which will be possible if Shields win both of their remaining fixtures, and hopes the 1st Cloud Arena crowd can cheer the team on.
She said: “We’re all striving towards securing a second place finish in the league this year.
“Personally, I think it’s the least the lasses deserve after all the hard work they’ve put in while having to deal with some very challenging situations.
“It would be massive for the team if we secured that place. It shows progression from last year and also sets us up to be one of the favourites in the race for promotion to the National League next year.”
The lasses are at home for the second game running, and with lots to play for, Miller is hoping that can spur the team on.
“It’s great to be back playing at 1st Cloud Arena for the second week in a row,” she added.
“The lasses really get a boost from playing there, especially when the supporters come along to watch.
“The girls are feeling confident ahead of the game. Training has been good this week and we’ve worked hard on the areas we weren’t pleased with from the Harrogate performance.
“It was great to have Natalie May back training this week after a spell out with a broken leg, so that’s a big positive to take into the weekend.”
Redcar come into the game having not played for a few weeks, so there could be every opportunity to make the most of that potential weakness.
Miller continued: “Going straight into the game this weekend, off the back of a 5-0 win, allows us to set our high standards from the whistle.
“We’ve focused on what we needed to in training and the lasses are raring to put it into a game situation now.
“Our previous game against Redcar wasn’t an easy one. We had to fight until the dying minutes to win the game, so we know that Redcar will work hard for the full 90 minutes.
“Redcar will be aware of our recent success and I feel it will be difficult for them to regain momentum after having no game for a few weeks.
“Our aim is to take that as a weakness and capitalise on it straightaway.”
Information for supporters
Sunday’s offering is part of Shields’ Super Sunday event.
Supporters can book a table by texting 07551153934 to watch the West Bromwich Albion vs Sunderland and the Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur matches in the 1888 Bar, which will be open from 11am. Matchday-style food will be available.
Admission for the game itself is £3, and it's cash only at the turnstiles. Kick-off at 1st Cloud Arena is at 2pm.
Image: Craig McNair/ID Event Photography.
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