Match Preview

After a week off from league action, Nettleham will face Sporting Khalsa on Sunday.

Both teams will be competing off the back of 2-1 losses in last week's National League Cup matches. At Mulsanne Park, the Netts suffered their second defeat in as many weeks against Birmingham and West Midlands (BWM). Due to a stoppage time goal from BWM’s Natalie Gibson, the home team lost the game.

Likewise for Sporting Khalsa, a 95th-minute goal saw them lose their chance to win the cup. Also playing at home, they lost out to Leeds Ladies, a team one league higher.

So far in the league, the Netts sit fourth, with three points after two matches. One place below them in fifth, Khalsa have three points and a game in hand. Next Sunday’s hosts beat Long Eaton 3-2 at home three weeks ago. Long Eaton is eighth in the league, having lost both of their matches and being minus four on goal difference. Though it was a 98th minute goal that allowed Khalsa to pip Long Eaton to the post and take the three points.

Nettleham defeated The New Saints (TNS) 4-1 that same week. TNS is also on zero points and minus four on goal difference after two games. The Netts’ real test was against BWM. The team played two strong, evenly matched games and both times lost to a late goal.

At this early stage of the season, it appears both sides stand a chance of winning on Sunday. With Sporting Khalsa playing on their home turf, it will be no walk in the park for Nettleham and should prove an interesting 90 minutes.