Ipswich Town Women face Stevenage in the FA Women’s National League Plate first round at the Goldstar Ground, Felixstowe on Sunday afternoon with entry free (KO 2pm).

The men’s game at Accrington will also be shown live in the clubhouse prior to the match with gates open from 11am.

Manager Joe Sheehan admits the competition isn’t his biggest concern: “It isn’t one of our priority competitions, if I’m being totally honest, but we’re in good form and we want to maintain that and if we can get a good result and progress into the next round then it will keep that going.”

Stevenage knocked the Tractor Girls out of the competition last season but were hammered 7-0 when the Blues visited them in the league last month and Sheehan says the Hertfordshire side will be out to make amends for that result.

“I’m sure they’ll want to improve against their performance against this weekend,” he added. "It’ll be up to us to maintain our standards and put in a positive performance ourselves.”

Sheehan, whose team have won eight in a row, says he’ll shuffle his pack as he has done throughout the campaign so far.

“A big change, we’ve probably changed most games we’ve played this season and this game will be no different,” he continued.

“We’re trying to balance things out a little bit and give players opportunities, give other players a bit more rest.

“It will be a lot different to the team than played Stevenage last time around but one we hope will put in a good performance and win us the game.”

Photos: Ross Halls

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