Colchester United Ladies make their eagerly awaited season debut in the FA Women's Premier League South with a testing visit to the Hammers' Thurrock FC home.

United will be looking to improve on their 9th place finish last year after a busy and productive off season which has seen some re-structuring at the club, a partnership with Fitness First and David Bond Personal Training which has seen the players undergo a rigorous physical programme and some quality new signings.

Sian Larkin and Emma Sherwood are currently registered with the club under loan agreements from their Super League clubs Birmingham and Chelsea respectively and will make their debuts for Colchester.

Unfortunately United's other big summer signing Kylie Davis, at the U's on a similar agreement from Chelsea, is on international duty in World Cup qualifying with Wales so will have to wait for her debut in the blue and white stripes.

Maegen Doyle is in the squad to face West Ham having scored the winner in mid week for England U-19s against Denmark in a friendly international but Emily Heaslip who also featured for the U19s against Denmark and Republic of Ireland misses out with an ankle injury sustained while away with England.

Colchester also include new Academy players Sian Fagg and Hannah Gowland who have impressed in pre-season.

The team will also proudly wear the brand new official Colchester United Ladies FC kit courtesy of their generous sponsor 'The Space Group' and our friends at the Colchester United FC club shop.

(pictured; United midfield/defender Alex Stewart in the Lady U's new kit)

The match details are as follows and the team would greatly appreciate your support!

Sunday 22nd August
West Ham United LFC v Colchester United LFC
2:00 PM Kick Off

Thurrock FC
Ship Lane, Grays
Essex RM19 1YN