Mansfield Town Ladies set for tough opener at Rotherham United, but boss Andi Bell says her squad are raring to go

Town will travel to face Rotherham United Women on Sunday as the new East Midlands Women's Premier League season gets underway on Sunday.

"I think it's probably one of the toughest games we could have got, if I'm honest," Bell told The Chad.

"I think they were second going into lockdown, just above us.

"We played them not long before the finish of the season and they beat us at home, so it'll be a really tough game.

"But we've prepared well and hopefully we can get a good result."

It's been a long wait for a return to action following the abrupt ending of last season, and while Rotherham may be among the favourites for the title Bell wants her side to be up there and challenging, and admits that these are the kind of games her side look forward to.

"Pre-season's been the same for most teams, I'm sure they've had ups and downs, not quite knowing when they'd start," she added.

"We'll put everything on them and hopefully come away with a positive result.

"Because of the situation, people aren't going to need motivation for that first game.

"But it's a big game, one of the biggest games of the season against a team who are going to be there or thereabouts.

"They're the kind of games you really want to be playing in."

Sundays match at the Roundwood Golf Sports and Social Club will kick off at 2pm.