Reds coach Stoney wary of difficult Durham test

OUTSIDERS could be forgiven for thinking United’s FA Women’s Championship campaign is developing into a cakewalk – but Casey Stoney senses hardships on the horizon.

As well as upsetting Liverpool in the Continental Tyres League Cup, the newly-formed Reds have hit 20 unanswered goals as they opened their league campaign with three dominant victories, the latest a 5-0 humbling of London Bees.

But tomorrow, they welcome Durham to Leigh Sports Village (noon) and United head coach Stoney expects her team to face tougher and tougher tests as the season rolls on. “I have to say I think every game is getting harder,” said Stoney.

“First Aston Villa, then Sheffield United was hard, and then [London Bees] was even more difficult, and Durham will be even harder because they’re a very organised side.

“They’ve been together for a long time as a unit, so it’s going to be a difficult test for us. We want to keep winning but there’s 11 players in front of you who don’t want to lose.”

Meanwhile, CITY are looking to put European heartbreak behind them when they travel to unbeaten Birmingham City in the FA Women’s Super League (12.30pm). Nick Cushing’s side suffered a 2-0 second-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid in the last-32 stage, City going down 3-1 on aggregate.

To follow all of the action during the season and to buy tickets visit ticketstores.co.uk/fawsl/