Back after a long Christmas break, Nettleham travel to The New Saints (TNS) this Sunday.

In their first game of this season, the Netts beat TNS 4-1 at home. Goals from Katie Williams, Abigail Ringrose, Abigail Murrell and Elise Keyworth saw Nettleham get their first 3 points in the National League.

Further victories over Sporting Khalsa, Steel City, Solihull Moors, and Burton Albion mean the Netts currently sit sixth in the league, with 15 points. TNS are two places below, with 10 points. So far this season, they have beaten Steel City, Solihull Moors, and Long Eaton. In their most recent league game, they drew 2-2 with Burton Albion after being 2-0 up at half time.

When Sunday’s hosts faced Long Eaton in November, they came away with a 4-3 victory, taking the lead with a 91st minute goal by substitute Sarah Jackson. The following week at Mulsanne Park, Long Eaton beat Nettleham for the second time in two months.

Two own goals and one from Jade Arber saw the Long Eaton win 3-2 despite two great goals from Abigail Murrell. The Netts brought a heavily depleted team because of an abundance of injuries, ending the game with just ten players. Arber equalised for the visitors in the 87th minute and an own goal saw them take the lead in the 92nd minute.

Sunday’s will be a very different game to the last time the teams met. Since their meeting, Nettleham have made new signings. TNS will benefit from playing at home, with the Netts having to make a seven-hour round-trip.