Moors Ladies get back out on the pitch on Sunday following a Christmas break when they make the trip to face West Allotment Celtic in the NERWFL Northern Division (2pm kick-off).

Billy Shackleton’s side had been in excellent form before the festive holiday, having not tasted defeat in three months and tasted victory in six of their last seven outings.

That brilliant run has left them sitting fifth in the table but they are currently just three points behind leaders Washington with a game still in hand.

A number of postponements during December left Moors Ladies frustrated but they’ve been working hard in training ahead of a return this weekend and will be raring to go.

Shackleton is set to have a strong squad to choose from on Sunday too with only Moniki Kisicka, Amber Hoppps and Julia McGovern still sidelined, though the latter is making good progress as she fights back from a nasty ankle injury.

Moors thrashed West Allmotment 8-1 when the sides met in County Durham in the early stages of the current campaign so the hosts will be aiming for some sort of revenge on Sunday.

“It’s all well and good to look back on that result and feel confident,” admitted boss Shackleton.

“However, we’ve seen already this season that any team can beat another at this level on a given day and I would say the scoreline earlier in the year flattered us a bit too.

“We need to make sure we’re all right at it from the first whistle to ensure the roles aren’t reversed this weekend and so we can go on and get another positive result.

“Games in hand can only benefit you if you win them and at the moment, they don’t count for anything.

“Since joining the Club, the girls have always said they want to be challenging at the very top of this league and I think we can do that – so we have to make sure we go into every game with the right attitude.”

The game kicks-off at 2pm and takes place at Tyneside Cricket Club on Preston Avenue (NE30 2BE) and entry is free for all supporters.