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Newcastle Women 'focused' on league return
Written by Joseph Nelson
On Sunday, Newcastle United Women return to action, taking on Barnsley Women at Wombwell Recreation Ground in a 2pm kick-off in the FA Women's National League Division One North.
The first team had no fixture last week as the development side lifted the FAWNL Reserve Plate, but focus is now fully fixed on the Magpies' South Yorkshire opponents.
Becky Langley's side have already locked horns with Barnsley twice this season in both the league and the Vitality Women's FA Cup second round at St. James' Park.
Despite the Magpies coming out on top in both of those fixtures, winning 1-0 and 2-1 respectively, Newcastle Women's assistant manager Lloyd Miller maintained that the Lasses are preparing as diligently as ever to carry their momentum into the season's run-in.
"Regular fixtures are something we work towards, week in, week out," he told nufc.co.uk. "We ensure planning towards our next game is our immediate focus.
"To get back to league action is something we're all very much looking forward to."
Third-placed Barnsley have proven to be prickly customers for several of the sides in the division this term, but this is something Miller is well read-up on and will be arming the Magpies to deal with.
"Barnsley bring several different threats and that's something we've seen this season already," he continued.
"We need to ensure we defend with organisation and alertness for first and second balls when we are faced with them."
Along with stemming Barnsley's threat, Newcastle will have a fresh - but familiar - ace up their sleeve, with Bianca Owens being recalled from her loan to Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies this week.
Owens, who has three goals in her last three games for Norton, re-joins Langley's side in time for the run-in and will hope to be involved in South Yorkshire this weekend as Newcastle look to continue their promotion push.
WATCH NEWCASTLE WOMEN AT ST. JAMES' PARK
Newcastle Women return to the 'cathedral on the hill' on Sunday, 16th April, taking on Bradford City Women in a 2pm (BST) kick-off.
Advance tickets are now available for you to book - get yours here!
Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC
"Barnsley bring several different threats and that's something we've seen this season already. We need to ensure we defend with organisation and alertness for first and second balls when we are faced with them."