Sunderland may not want to curse their luck with premature talk of the FA Women’s Super League 2 title, but Beth Mead admits her side will be going all out for one last victory over Millwall.
The Black Cats hold the advantage heading into the final weekend, top of the league, two points ahead of Doncaster Rovers Belles.
However, they must beat Millwall to make sure of the crown, with the Belles heavy favourites against the London Bees and possessing a superior goal difference.
Millwall v Sunderland
FA WSL 2
2pm, Sunday 26 October
In their last home game the Lionesses put three goals past Yeovil to record their first win in five games – and Mead is not expecting an easy ride on Sunderland’s day of destiny.
She said: “We’re quite a superstitious team so we don’t want to jinx the outcome.
“I was away with England when we played Millwall earlier in the season but I’ve watched them play and I know they are going to be a very hard team.
“They will chuck everything at us, they’re well-organised and I think away to Millwall is a tough place to go – so it won’t be an easy game at all.
“There are a lot of Sunderland fans down in London and hopefully a lot of fans come down and support us because we need all the support we can get at the moment.
“We always do well in away games and I’m confident we can get the result.”
And while Millwall have admittedly blown hot and cold in their first WSL season, midfielder Lilli Maple is confident her side will continue to blossom.
The Lionesses could feasibly jump up to sixth if results go their way to round off what Maple says has been a positive campaign.
She said: “We are a young side and we’re still learning – this season has been a really good learning curve for all of us. It’s been an up-and-down season and perhaps the results haven’t always shown what a quality side we are.
“My future is at definitely at Millwall – I can’t see myself leaving. For next year we want to get the team together more and just put more points on the board.
“We’ve got to play Sunderland first though and hopefully we can end the season on a positive note. Every game in the WSL is tough and anybody can beat anybody.”
