Lincoln City return to league action as they play Sporting Khalsa in the Imps first home game since January.
City have had a tough run of games in recent weeks, playing both Loughborough Lightning and Boldmere St. Michaels who sit first and second in the league. They also faced Lincoln United in the cup, who progressed to the final for the second year in a row after beating City 2-1 in the semi-final.
However, this week’s game will also prove to be tough, as Sporting Khalsa sit third place in the league ahead of kick-off.
Opposition: Sporting Khalsa
Sporting Khalsa came from two goals down against fourth placed Peterborough United to keep them in the top three. A goal from Isabelle Austin-Short and an 81st minute equaliser by Layla Kennerley was enough to rescue a point at home.
With a game in hand over Boldmere, a win at the weekend will close the gap to just one point behind second place.
Team News:
Imps boss Lee Mitchell is keen to get underway after last weeks disappointing result in the cup against Lincoln United.
He said: ‘‘We’ve been playing well in the league and getting some good results; the league is a tough league you’ve got to be producing week in week out.’’
Due to match postponements during February, it means City have a very busy schedule in March, playing six games over the course of the month.
‘‘March is a tough month, we looked at February and thought it would change our season one way or the other, that wasn’t to be with postponements and everything. This is your big month now,’’ said Mitchell.
City star Faith Horner believes that her side are capable of getting a result out of Sunday’s game.
She said: ‘‘It will be challenging but we’ve been on a good run so I can’t see why we can’t get at least a point out of it.’’
Adding: ‘‘I do believe we perform better against the tougher teams. I think we all put in an extra 2% and then come together better as a team.’’
Head-to-Head:
City picked up just one point out of six when they played Sporting Khalsa last season, the most recent result being a 5-1 defeat away from home.
An early goal from Lucy Farrow was followed by a quick reply by Steph Weston who went on to complete her hat-trick later in the game. Skye Owen and Olivia Woolston also joined the scoresheet to add further salt to Lincoln wounds.