Black Cats test for Blues Ladies

Everton Ladies assistant manager Andy Spence believes Sunderland will prove a tough team to beat when the two sides meet at Marine on Sunday.

Spence says that they are an improving side as they are top of the table.

"You've got to give Sunderland a lot of credit and respect for what they've achieved so far this season," Spence told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"They've played a few more games but they're up at the top of the league at this moment and probably rightly so."

Spence also knows how important it is not to drop points in the early part of the season ahead of big games against Arsenal and Chelsea.

"Past history will say that it's important we go into those fixtures with Arsenal, with Chelsea, with all the teams that tend to be challenging at the end of the season.

"Going into those games with maximum points, there is a big onus on us to again collect another three points."

Also, on Sunday Liverpool Ladies are away to Lincoln Ladies in the Northern Division, meanwhile Tranmere Rovers are at home to Rotherham Unites whilst the Liverpool Feds entertain Peterlee United in the first round of the FA Women's Cup.