It may be the early throes of what is manager Andi Bell’s third ‘season’ at the helm of East Midlands Regional Football League Premier Division side, Mansfield Town Ladies, but on-field proceedings they have been going rather well.

Five straight victories (four league, one Vitality Women’s FA Cup) has seen them rack up thirty-three goals, and conceding just the three along the way.

One of those five victories, which was an emphatic, 10-0 success away to Allexton & New Parks, in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup – for Andi, and her charges, it was to be another, professional outing and one which would see braces for Shannon Purdy, Georgia Gladwin, and Bethany Jones.

“Yes, we were full of confidence going into that cup match, but they gave us a really good game,” began Andi, someone who, as a player, reached the semi-finals of the competition.

“It was a potential banana-skin but we got through it and showed our professionalism in doing so; they (Allexton) played really well so I was pleased with what we did during the game.”

The season would begin with a tough, away day, at rivals Chesterfield Women, the Stags edging the game 2-1 with goals from Purdy, and Ellie Marshall; it was a result that proved to be a catalyst for the early momentum they’ve gathered.

Home wins over Rise Park Ladies, Woodlands Seniors and Leicester City, as well as their FA Cup win, have satisfied Andi, especially as she knew how tough that opener was, and proved to be.

“That first game was a really tough one, but one which we fully deserved to win,” continued Andi.

“They came at us, and we were resilient, fantastic attacking-wise.

“Whilst against Rise Park, we got embroiled in a physical battle.

“It’s important that you’re able to drag out victories though, and that brings differing challenges.

“I did expect us to win at least three of our opening games though.”

It has been a decent, opening couple of months for Nottinghamshire sides in the Women’s FA Cup, with Mansfield Ladies being joined in the Third Qualifying Round by that of Nottingham Trent University Women (oppose Doncaster Belles) and Notts County Women (face Shifnall Town).

All three of the regions sides though, are on the road this Sunday afternoon, with all hoping to make the First Round of the Women’s games’ flagship competition.

“The furthest I’ve been is the semi-finals, and I love the competition so I’m hoping for a fantastic game,” added Andi.

“Facing Burton Albion, it’ll be a really good test for us and we know we have to be at our best.

“I know their management team from my time at Derby County and yes, they’re higher up, but it’s a nice distraction for us, a one with which there’ll be no pressure on us.

“We’ll go there, on Sunday, and we’ll give a good account of ourselves though, but we know the season, overall, will have many bumps in the road.”

Andi Bell takes her Mansfield Town Ladies to Burton Albion Women, in the Third Qualifying Round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup, at Hillsfield, the home of Rocester FC, kick-off at 2pm.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Andi Bell says her side is “full of confidence” ahead of the Burton game.