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Bell buzzing to be back as Newcastle United Women return to league action
Written by Dan King
Recent signing Millie Bell says she's "loving every minute" of life at Newcastle United Women as Becky Langley's side prepare to return to league action on Sunday.
Merseyrail Ladies are the visitors to Kingston Park for a 2pm (GMT) kick-off in Newcastle's first FA Women's National League Division One North fixture for over a month.
The team's last three matches have all been in the Vitality Women's FA Cup, but after beating Hull City Ladies and Barnsley Women, United exited the competition at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers Ladies, with the Northern Premier Division leaders running out 5-1 winners last weekend.
"Everyone was disappointed to leave the FA Cup in that manner," said Bell, who joined United in October. "Credit to Wolves, who were a very structured and clinical side. That being said I believe we showed, especially in the first half, that we can compete with top sides from the tier above."
The defeat to Wolves Women came on the back of a memorable occasion at St. James' Park at the end of last month, when 28,565 supporters - the highest ever attendance for a Women's FA Cup match outside of a final - saw Newcastle come from behind to beat Barnsley Women thanks to stunning strikes from Georgia Gibson and Sharna Wilkinson."St. James' Park was spectacular - every member of the team throughly enjoyed it," Bell told nufc.co.uk. "It was a great occasion for not only the players but their families and friends. It felt like a reward for all the hard work that everyone has put in this season."For me personally, I couldn't have had a better home debut; to play in front of 28,500 people was certainly a moment I will remember, and to have my nana and grandad there with me to witness it was something special."
Versatile Bell won the FA Women's National League Division One North with Middlesbrough Women in 2016 but, following a long-term knee injury, jumped at the chance to join the Newcastle United Women revolution. "Having spent my whole time playing women's football for Middlesbrough Women for the last six seasons, it was time for a new challenge," she explained. "The season so far has certainly been that - a challenge to get back fit after 16 months out.
"But I'm loving every minute of it; all of the girls have welcomed me as one of their own and so have Becky (Langley) and Lloyd (Miller, assistant manager), and I have enjoyed being able to help the squad in the last three matches."It feels amazing to finally be back on the pitch after 16 months out after ACL reconstruction. Everyone at Newcastle was part of helping me get back onto the pitch. It feels like I've never been away and I'm happy to finally be back and helping the squad."I think my ambitions match that of everyone's at Newcastle and that's exactly why we are all there: we are pushing for promotion into tier three."
Tickets for Sunday's game against Merseyrail Ladies - who United beat 4-1 on the opening day of the season - will be available on the gate, priced at £3 for adults and £1 juniors and concessions.
Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC
"It feels amazing to finally be back on the pitch after 16 months out after ACL reconstruction. Everyone at Newcastle was part of helping me get back onto the pitch. It feels like I've never been away."