Sunderland Ladies will ensure another season of FA WSL 1 football if they can win at Bristol Academy on Saturday night.
Bristol's build up
Bristol have a real relegation dogfight on their hands right now, as they sit bottom of WSL 1 with only two points to their name just past the halfway stage of the season. That leaves them seven points from third bottom Liverpool Ladies, and a point behind second bottom Birmingham City, with only one team being relegated from the top flight.
It's been a tough season for the Vixens, who are yet to win this term, but especially in their two games since the Women's World Cup break - going down 4-1 at Chelsea Ladies and 3-0 at home to Manchester City Women. However, they got a nice distraction in mid-week by taking on FA WSL 2 outfit Aston Villa in the Continental Cup. They came out comfortable 4-0 winners thanks to a brace from substitute Jade Boho Sayo.
Angharad James's thoughts
Bristol midfielder Angharad James was impressed with her new team-mate's performance, and said, to the WSL website, that she believes she "is a great signing" who "brings something different to the team; she's a goalscorer who is strong on the ball." James said that the team "didn't have an out and out goalscorer" before the World Cup, and that they should begin to reap the rewards.
Sunderland's build up
Sunderland, meanwhile, can reach two milestones with a win on Saturday evening. A win could not only see them go top of WSL 1, it would also see them confirm their place in the division - having just been promoted last season after their WSL 2 title win.
The Lady Black Cats have been in wonderful form since their return from the break, with three wins out of three in the league and Continental Cup. Two games at home saw them edge past Notts County 2-1, before destroying the leaders Chelsea 4-0 in Hetton. While, in midweek, it took a last minute own goal for them to get past second-tier local rivals Durham Women.
Fairweather has his say
Head coach Carlton Fairweather is obviously ecstatic with what his girls have been able to do so far this season. When Sunderland's official club website asked whether he expected such impressive performances, he explained: "Probably not but that is purely because of how many good sides there are in FAWSL 1."
Fairweather also commented on their upcoming opponents, admitting that they have "very good players" and that "probably doesn't represent the position they're in at the moment".
Previous meeting
These two have already met this season and Sunderland came out on top with a 2-1 win in Hetton. Goals from Rachel Furness and Brooke Chaplen canceled out James' opener for the Academy in April, which was just the third league game of the campaign.