TOWN Ladies will be fielding a young side in their Northern Womens Combination opener against South Durham and Cestria at Storthes Hall on Sunday (2.00).
A number of last seasons promotion-winning squad are away on holiday, so members of the side who won the West Riding Girls League Under 17 title will step up.
One of them, Shameeka Fishley, has been in fine form in pre-season, helping Town beat Leeds City Vixens and Norton and Stockton Ancients in friendlies.
Leeds, from the Womens Premier League Northern Division, a level above Town on the womens league pyramid, were beaten 6-0.
Fishley scored three times in the first 15 minutes with Emily Heckler grabbing the fourth before half-time.
Fishley and Heckler both added further goals in the second half as a solid all-round performance was rewarded.
Against Norton and Stockton, of the North-East Regional Womens League Premier Division, which Town won last season, Fishley scored the winner in a 2-1 victory.
The side was mainly made up of last seasons Under 17s, with Raegan Cartledge scoring after eight minutes.
Fishley grabbed the winner 10 minutes from time following good work down the left by Rebecca Blaeford.
Town will be one of 12 sides competing in the Northern Combination, with derbies against Bradford City, Sheffield Wednesday and Wakefield on the agenda.
