Magpies seeking promotion
As they prepare for a 20th consecutive season within the National League set-up, Harleston Magpies Ladies’ first team are eyeing up a promotion bid.
Due to proposed changes to the National League pyramid ahead of the 2019/20 campaign getting under way, a top-six finish will be enough for Magpies to secure promotion to the 10-team Division One next term.
Despite being up against a number of sides with greater resources than themselves, Magpies managed to finish in fifth place last term.
Matching or improving upon that this year would be enough to go up – something stand-in captain Lauren Barber believes is an achievable goal.
“We need to finish sixth or above, so what we managed last year would obviously be enough,” she said.
“Promotion has to be our aim and if we can improve on last year that would be great.
“We always try to be the best of the rest in the division.
“The division is split into two because of finances and the teams in and around London.
“But this is one of the strongest squads I have been involved with, certainly since we won the league a few years ago.
“We have a good mix between experienced players and some talented youngsters.”
Barber will be wearing the skipper’s armband this season in the absence of Lucy Belsey.
It is expected that Belsey will miss the majority – if not all – of the campaign with a shoulder injury that she sustained during the recent friendly encounter against St Albans.
It is not a role Barber is accustomed to, but she believes there will be enough support from her team-mates to get through it.
“It is a little bit daunting because I am not really a big talker on the pitch,” she added.
“But there are plenty of big influences in the team out on the pitch and I am sure they will help me when it is needed.”
The team start away at Bedford tomorrow (1pm).