SSFC Women kick-off pre-season against Washington FC

South Shields Women get their pre-season schedule underway with a test away at Washington FC Women this Sunday (2pm kick-off). 

The game at Northern Playing Fields will be the first of four planned friendlies over the next month, to give the lasses the best possible chance of hitting the ground running when the league season starts in September.

After Sunday’s match-up, games against Wallsend BC Women Reserves (A), Consett Ladies (A) and Whitehaven AFC Women (H) are in the works.

Washington FC finished in eighth place in the NERWFL Northern Division last season with a mixed record of five wins, three draws and 12 defeats. 

Nevertheless, pre-season is about giving the squad minutes and a result, whatever the outcome, is likely to be a secondary consideration this weekend. 

Alex’s thoughts

Head coach Alex Miller imagines there will still be some sense of competitiveness on the pitch come Sunday, with it being the team’s first outing in many weeks. 

“They’re classed as friendlies but sometimes when you get on the pitch it’s hard to differentiate between a normal fixture and a friendly,” she said.

“We’ll definitely be going in with the mindset of wanting to win that game, but definitely getting some minutes in legs, with it being the first game back, and again, trying out a couple of new things and seeing how that goes.” 

Information for supporters

Kick-off at Northern Playing Fields, next to Washington Hub (NE37 3HR), is at 2pm this Sunday, July 28th.

The match is free and the bar will be open for refreshments during the afternoon.