Ipswich Town Women are set to play a league game at Portman Road for the first time in their history. Ross Halls looks at the team ahead of the game.
Joe Sheehan's side are facing Chatham Town in front of a crowd that could reach 10,000 fans.
LAURA HARTLEY - GOALKEEPER
The 23-year-old joined Town last summer from Championship side Lewes and is now the current first-choice keeper, with Poppy Soper being recalled by Charlton Athletic this month.
Hartley has kept four clean sheets in 11 games this season for the Blues and will likely be in the sticks for this game.
NINA MEOLLO - GOALKEEPER
The 19-year-old has been with the Blues since the summer of 2020 and recently returned to the club after enjoying a successful loan spell at Cambridge City during the first half of the season.
Meollo's form saw her earn a first international call-up for the Philipinnes in November, and she was part of the squad who took part in the Pinatar Cup last month.
MARIA BOSWELL - DEFENDER
The 21-year-old is the heart of the defence and was named the new club captain in December last year, succeeding Blue Wilson.
Boswell is a leader on and off the pitch, making over 50 appearances for the club. She has reverted to centre-back from right-back this season.
LEAH MITCHELL - DEFENDER
The 18-year-old made her breakthrough from the academy last season and is now a regular, making 26 appearances already for the Blues.
Mitchell has showed her versality, having played at right-back, centre-back and even in a holding midfield role, which she has adopted well.
SUMMER HUGHES - DEFENDER
The 20-year-old is a modern full-back and a consistent performer, having made 80 appearances for the club since breaking through in 2021.
Hughes has made the most starts for the Tractor Girls, with 23 so far this season.
EVIE WILLIAMS - DEFENDER
The 17-year-old is another academy graduate who made her debut on the opening day of this season. She hasn't looked back, becoming another regular in this side.
Williams is having an impressive campaign at such a young age and is improving each game as she shows her strength on and off the ball.
MAISY BARKER - DEFENDER
The soon to be 22-year-old joined the club this summer after leaving West Ham, having featured in the Women's Super League.
Barker has shown her quality on the right flank this season with her blistering pace and dangerous crosses into the box.
BONNIE HORWOOD - MIDFIELDER
The 36-year-old is the most experienced player in the squad, making over 100 appearances across the Women’s Super League and Championship.
Horwood has been at Town since 2021, making 80 appearances and scoring 18 goals. She is a player for the pressure moments, as she is the set penalty taker and another leader on the pitch.
KYRA ROBERTSON - MIDFIELDER
The 21-year-old is another academy graduate who had a breakthrough campaign last season, where she was named Players' Player of the Year. She has continued that form this campaign.
Robertson is one of the first names on the team-sheet and is a player to watch on the day with her break-up play and non-stop action in the middle of the park.
ELOISE KING - MIDFIELDER
The 21-year-old is a lifelong fan of the club and was a key figure within the Tractor Girls' side before her injury, which has sidelined her throughout this campaign.
King recently returned to full training and could be set to make her return soon to add to her 70 appearances for the club.
LUCY O'BRIEN - MIDFIELDER
The 20-year-old joins the long list of players to progress through the academy and has produced many memorable performances since making her debut in 2021.
O'Brien has made over 50 appearances for the Blues and is a player that can get you off your feet with her twinkle toes and shots from range.
ELKIE BOWYER AND MILLY BOUGHTON - MIDFIELDERS
The duo joined the Blues on dual-registration from Tottenham Hotspur in January as Sheehan looked for further additions to his side.
Bowyer has impressed in her six games, scoring one goal, while Bougton has made four appearances, having recently been away with Australia under-20's as they finished third in the Asian Cup.
SOPHIE PESKETT - MIDFIELDER
The 21-year-old had a set back back in 2021 after suffering a torn ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament), which required surgery. This is her first full season back in action and she looks like a superstar in the making, and her numbers to back that up.
Peskett plays such a key role in the side with her attacking threat, scoring 11 goals and racking up 16 assists this season. She is a player to watch down the right wing.
RUBY DOE - MIDFIELDER
The 18-year-old is on a dual-registration agreement from WSL side Arsenal and has impressed during her spell at Town, with 12 goal contributions this season.
Doe is a tenacious and feisty player who brings quality in attack and doesn't mind getting stuck into tackles and scoring some screamers.
NATHASHA THOMAS - FORWARD
The 27-year-old is the Tractor Girls' all-time leading goalscorer and longest serving player, having joined the club in October 2015. She is the only player to have played at Portman Road before, albeit in a County Cup game.
Thomas is a popular figure in the squad, boasting 146 goals in 203 games. She brings so much quality in attack with her pace and pressing.
LENNA GUNNING-WILLIAMS - FORWARD
The 18-year-old is on a season-long loan from WSL side Tottenham Hotspur and has made a big impact since joining, producing good numbers with 13 goals and six assists.
Gunning-Williams is making her first step into senior football and has bags of potential with the way she runs at defenders and her clinical edge in front of goal.
ISSY BRYANT - FORWARD
The 19-year-old returned to the club at the start of 2024 following a spell at the University of North Carolina Wilmington in the United States.
Bryant previously played for Town between 2020 and 2022, and since re-signing, she has been mainly used as an impact sub. That being said, she has shown her attacking threat in those cameos.
OTHER PLAYERS
There are a few players set to miss out due to injury or being out on loan, but they will be part of the day. Starting with defender Megan Wearing, whose campaign was ended after suffering two stress fractures in her back.
Forward Holly Turner is the unfortunate player to miss out due to being on loan at Chatham Town, so she won't be eligible to play.
Midfielders Nia Evans, Abbi Smith and Erin Williams are on loan at Billericay Town, Cambridge United and Bowers & Pitsea respectively.
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