Our BUCS Match of the Week takes us to Nottingham this week as Nottingham Trent University take on the University of Birmingham in the Women’s Premier North 1 division.
Nottingham Trent come into this fixture sat in third place in the table narrowly behind Durham and Nottingham in first and second respectively.
They’ve had a mixed start to the season with three wins, three defeats, and a draw from their opening seven games and they are looking to get back to winning ways today after three games without victory, despite an enthralling 14-14 draw with Edinburgh last time out.
A close 12-9 victory in the reverse fixture will give Nottingham Trent some confidence heading into this one.
Birmingham are currently in fifth place in the league table, level on points with Loughborough who they beat 12-11 two weeks ago before tasting defeat in their last game against Durham.
They have a record of two wins and five losses so far this season and will be hoping to properly kick-start their campaign with a win against Nottingham Trent today.
Historically, this fixture has been a tight contest with both games last season won by one goal and this season’s encounter by three.
Ones to Watch
Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent have a whole host of talent in their ranks for the 2023/24 season with several international players, including England’s Sofia Wise.
Fresh from helping the England under-20 team win the European Championship trophy in the summer, Wise is a threat on both sides of the ball.
Her speed and high-level stick skills carry the Nottingham Trent midfield and she currently leads the team stats in turnovers, interceptions, and ground-balls.
Another player who is part of the England set-up is Nottingham Trent’s top scorer Harley Tideswell.
Tideswell already has 10 years’ experience with a lacrosse stick after starting at Mellor Lacrosse Club at the age of 11 and she has grown into an agile attacker who uses her quick feet and stick control to find her way through the fan and defenders to grab vital goals for the team.
University of Birmingham
Birmingham aren’t short of an international player or two either and England’s Ellie Simpson is definitely one to watch this season.
Having started in the junior England teams, Simpson has recently progressed into the senior set-up where she has been continuing to progress with some speed!
A fierce defender, Simpson will play a huge part if Birmingham are to snatch a win later today.
A new addition to the first team for the 2023/24 season, Izzy O’Kelly has already proved her worth in the Birmingham team with her performances as both an attacking and defensive midfielder.
Fact Files
Nottingham Trent University
Captains | Shona McKenna & Fiona Cameron
Coaching Staff | Bella Ferraro (Head Coach) & Sam Patterson (Head of Lacrosse)
2022/23 League Position | 3rd (Women’s Premier North 1)
University of Birmingham
Captain | Katie O’Connell
Coaching Staff | Bryony Smith (Head Coach)
2022/23 League Position | 4th (Women’s Premier North 1)
2022/23 Meetings
Nottingham Trent 11-10 Birmingham | 23/11/22
Birmingham 7-8 Nottingham Trent | 07/12/22