In a repeat of 2014’s opening fixture, Bristol Academy will commence their 2015 season at the Stoke Gifford Stadium, as they host Chelsea on Thursday evening.
Vixens midfielder Hayley Ladd looks set to make her Super League debut in the competition’s top tier – against the side currently sitting at the head of the table after winning their opening fixture on Sunday.
The Blues head into the game on the back of a 2-1 victory away to Notts County, and will hope to continue their 100% win rate away from home against Dave Edmondson’s side. Chelsea have also enjoyed the start of the FA Cup campaign; which saw them demolish WSL2 side Watford 6-0 at Wheatsheaf Park.
Bristol, on the other hand, crashed out of the domestic cup competition, following heartbreak in added time.
Making the trip to Everton, the Vixens looked set to reach the next round, before a late equaliser and 111th minute winner from the Toffees sealed their fate, just days after receiving a thumping in Europe at the hands of Frankfurt FFC.
Visiting Chelsea twice in the space of five days to open their campaign last season – in the FA Cup and Super League – both matches went in favour of the Blues. However, recent signing Ladd, who joined from Coventry City, believes their European experience is the perfect preparation for her side ahead of their opener.
“Although it’s been a challenging first couple of weeks, I think it has thrown us straight in and means we’re even more ready for our first game of the [Super League] season,” she said.
“We’ve tested ourselves early on and tweaked certain things and whilst we didn’t get the results we wanted in the cup competitions, as a team we are more determined now to compete in these beginning games of the season.”
When speaking about her first few weeks with Bristol – as part of a strong Welsh midfield – she added: “I feel like I have settled in really well and I am really enjoying the season so far. I’ve also got the added benefit of coming back from a long term injury too so it feels even better to be back playing again.
“As I am new to Bristol and to the league it’s hard to gauge personally how the season will pan out for us. One thing though that is evident from our team ethos is that we won’t let any match go without a hard fought fight and so I am hoping we will really compete in the League and also the Continental Cup.”
Chelsea missed out on being crowned Super League champions last season on goal difference, and manager Emma Hayes has said it is a priority for her side this season to win some silverware.
