This Sunday will see the first, official, meeting between Mansfield Town Ladies and Notts County Women, as Andi Bell and Mansfield side welcome Nottinghamshire rivals, Notts County, in an East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Premier Division encounter.

The two Nottinghamshire clubs have both enjoyed good starts to the season, and for the Stags, it’s been four straight wins in the league, they being joint-leaders alongside Northampton Town Women and Chesterfield Women.

At the One Call Stadium, Mansfield Town Ladies’ captain, and defender, Amy Dawson, has been with the club for a few seasons now and, although formerly an attacker, the arrival of current boss, Andi Bell, has seen her take her place in the back-line, marshalling those around her.

The former Derby County player, who’s experienced many, East Midlands derbies with cross-Midlands rivals, Nottingham Forest, is looking forward to this Sunday’s offering in the East Midlands Leagues’ Premier Division.

“Yes, of course, I experienced several derbies whilst with Derby County, when we played against (Nottingham) Forest,” explained Amy.

“They were proper, juicy, derby matches, they’re always close affair, and a different ball game really.

“At present though, we’re treating every game as if it was a cup final, and we can’t focus on anyone but ourselves, just keep playing the way we do, and keep winning games if we’re to reach our goal.”

At the end of last season, for all it was worth, Mansfield struggled to progress, following a great start, in the league’s cup competitions.

That disappointment, they’ve used to spur them on this time around, with boss Andi Bell changing things so much that the Stags are now very much, an attack-minded, force to be reckoned with.

They’ve burst from blocks in the league, winning four-from-four, scoring fourteen, conceding three, whilst also enjoying a couple of clean sheets along the way; they’ve also enjoyed a couple of outings in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup, the Stags’ stock continuing to rise.

“We’ve never really been a high-scoring side, but now, we play very attack-minded, and with a lot of younger players in the squad,” continued Amy.

“Since Andi took the reins, there’s been a breath of fresh air over us, she still looks to play a few minutes herself as well, which is great to see.

“Now we’re playing games in phases, with different formations, and constantly rotating, especially our hungry, front-line.

“This, right now, is the strongest team I’ve seen here and, although I’m one of the older, more experienced players at the club, there’s a great togetherness, a drive, throughout, something else which Andi has brought forward.

“That, and I also thrive off the younger players coming though, making their debuts, it’s something in which I’d always encourage.”

As for the derby this weekend, as Amy alluded to earlier when stating that the Stags are taking it one cup final at a time, she added that: “It does take some pressure off when you’re away from home, but we’re a good side whether at home, or away.

“You can’t beat the feeling of pulling on that shirt, the armband, and leading out your side, at home though, and we’ll be looking to carry on the form we’ve shown so far, and get those three points.

“We need to really, as there’s a point to prove (after last season) and pushing towards our goal, which is to get promoted.”

Mansfield Town Ladies welcome Notts County Women in the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Premier Division this Sunday afternoon, keep an eye on the respective clubs’ social media profiles for updates.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @TheBiggerPictureMedia Mansfield captain Amy Dawson.