Lincoln City Women, and their Lincoln United counterparts, enter the new season in the same league.
They will both play in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands, with United entering the league for the first time after their promotion last term.
Sunday, August 18, signals the start of their campaigns, each under new management.
Match Preview: Lincoln City vs Loughborough Lightning
Lincoln City kickstart their 2024/25 campaign with a tough fixture against last year’s runners-up, Loughborough Lightning.
New Imps boss Charlotte Dinsdale will be hoping that her side take all three points in what will be her first game in charge at the club.
There’s been lots of comings and goings within the City camp. Not only in the managerial staff, but also senior players such as Leah Hardy and Toni McHamilton as well youngsters Brogan Pugh, Neve Hincks, Poppy Irvine and Katie Horner to name a few.
However, the club have been quick to find replacements to combat the players making a move away. They have included Jenna McGee, Gemma Harte, Jacee Fells and Brooke Ware.
The opposition on opening day is Loughborough, who will be looking for a strong start to the season after falling agonisingly short of promotion. The Lightning have also experienced their fair share of movement within the team, signing the likes of Kenzy Collingbourne, Hazel Cotton, Lucy McConnell and Lucy White.
Lincoln City head coach Charlotte Dinsdale says she is looking forward to their first game of the season despite what she described as a very difficult pre-season.
She said: “It’s been a really difficult pre-season, but one that we’ve really risen to and the girls have been fantastic in terms of their attitude, their performance and application within the sessions.
“To be honest the attitude and the environment for the girls and what we’re doing at the club is a huge thing for me. I’m very much about the culture, the environment and the values that we stand for and I can’t fault what the girls are adding to the training sessions.”
Match Preview: Lincoln United vs Notts County
Lincoln United make the trip to Coronation Park for their opening game of the season. The Whites will be hoping to pick up from where they left off, which was an unbeaten run that made them treble winners last term.
United have been busy during the summer, re-acquiring the services of the bulk of their promotion winning squad. The Whites have also signed Sarah Newton from Derby County and ex-Lincoln City players Katie Williams and Abi Ringrose.
They have also seen a change of manager, with Ricky Pledger replacing Chris Funnell.
Notts County host Lincoln United in their second year in the Division One Midlands. Last season, they escaped relegation by just one point.
During the summer, County have signed multiple players with the majority being ex-Lincoln City stars. Neve Hincks, Millie Quaintance and Leah Hardy have all made the switch. Other signings have included Rhea Bailey, who joined after a four-year spell at Emporia State, in the USA.
United goalkeeper Amy Hood believes pre-season was a great opportunity for the squad to gain group cohesion on the pitch.
She said: “I think it’s taken us a few games now to look to gel together. We’ve had quite a few new players and I think they’ve brought a different style of play to the team which is good. Going into tier four, I think you need a lot more dynamic ability and I think we do have that. We’re ready for Sunday now.”
Both City and United kick-off at 2pm on Sunday.
Feature Image Credit: Ed Mayes Photography