Moors Ladies will be determined to continue their winning start to the new NERWFL Premier Division season on Sunday when they travel to Redcar Town in pursuit of three more points (2pm kick-off).
Last week’s late-game heroics will be fresh in the memory of fans, staff and players alike, but Billy Shackleton will be hoping his side don’t make it quite as difficult for themselves this time.
Moors have been in fine form during the opening weeks of the season, making it six points from six with their astonishing comeback win against Hull United after thrashing Hartlepool United 5-3 in their first outing.
Add to that, a wonderful 3-0 beating of South Shields on their own turf at the end of August and it all makes for a Moors camp brimming with confidence as they make the trip to Teesside this weekend.
“We played Redcar in pre-season last year and it was a decent game,” mused boss Shackleton.
“We both had a few players out that day and I’m sure we’ll both look very different this weekend, of course, but they’re a good club with a nice set-up and it will be another big test for us.”
Shackleton has a fitness concern over influential forward Autumn Colledge, who was forced off during the first half of last Sunday’s win following a clash of heads which left her with a nasty facial injury.
Goalkeeper Sophie Miller will hope to be in contention to return after missing last weekend due to taking part in the Great North Run, while young striker Lily Jackson has begun light training but faces a race against the clock to face Redcar on Sunday.
“It looks like we will have to make some changes to our side,” admitted the Moors boss.
“Obviously, Autumn took a heavy whack and we’re not sure she’ll be ready, but we also have five or six girls who are carrying knocks, so we’ll leave it as late as possible and focus on getting the selection right.
“It’s a squad game and we know whichever 16 players are selected on Sunday are more than capable of delivering a performance we’ll need to get a positive result at Redcar.”
Sunday’s game is being staged at Mo Mowlam Memorial Park in Redcar, where kick-off is 2pm and admission is free for all supporters.
Meanwhile, Moors Ladies will be back at The Brewery Field on Sunday 24th September (2pm kick-off), though in a slight change to the schedule they will now host Alnwick Town rather than South Shields.
