Steel Park is all set for this evening's fixture between Arsenal Ladies and Nottingham Forest Ladies. 

Northamptonshire Football Association and Corby Town announced last month that FA Women’s Super League champions Arsenal Ladies would face Women’s Premier League side Nottingham Forest Ladies in a showcase charity match at Steel Park.

In what is the first of its kind to be held in Northamptonshire, the two teams - who boast youth and senior international players - will face each other tonight, Tuesday 21st February 2012 with a 7.45pm kick off.

The match will provide the Gunners Ladies with a pre-season warm-up prior to the start of the second season of the Women’s Super League; Forest on the other hand are coming to the end of their Premier League season.

Arsenal won the first ever FA Women’s Super League last year and they will be aiming to do the same again as they warm up against Premier League outfit Forest. 

Forest are currently fighting for survival in the Premier League and will be hoping for a positive response from this friendly fixture.

The Reds were also runners-up in the League Cup final last year, so there is plenty of success between these two club with a host of international players on show.

The last two occasions the Gunners and Forest Ladies met was in the Premier League during the 2009/10 season, where Arsenal came out victories on both occasions. 

The North London side thrashed Forest 8-0 in the away fixture and later completed a league double over them in a 4-1 win at home.

Northamptonshire has over 45 girls' teams and 24 adult female teams competing across various leagues, in addition to around 120 girls playing in mixed teams across the youth leagues.

This will be the first match of its kind to be played at Steel Park and it will be officiated by three of the female referees who operate on the men’s Football League and it will be a designated Respect fixture.

Kathryn Hall, Development Officer for Women and Girls football in Northamptonshire, said: “We are delighted to be able to host such a top level women’s fixture in our county and Corby Town will be great hosts.

“A number of Northamptonshire-based players have progressed to compete in the Premier League and some have been fortunate to move to the USA on scholarships. As an example, Annabel Johnson, who played for both Northampton Town and Rushden and Diamonds, is now at Leicester City and training with England Under-19's having started out with Ise Lodge.

“This match will provide players in the county with a great opportunity to see top level women’s football and aspire to reach those same levels.”

David Mallinger, Acting Chairman of Corby Town, added: “It is a real honour for the club that two high profile Ladies teams have agreed to play such a ground breaking fixture at Steel Park.

“The game is growing in popularity and this will be a great opportunity to witness the high standard of women’s football in this country and we are looking forward to welcoming a number of supporters to our new stadium for the first time.

“I hope that the people of Northamptonshire will also take the opportunity to come and support the Ladies and witness how much women’s football has developed in recent years.”

Proceeds from the match are being split between Get Kids Going, a national charity which gives disabled children and young people the opportunity of participating in sport, and the Northamptonshire Swain Benevolent Fund which raises money to support injured footballers in the county.

Tickets for the game are priced at £5 for adults and £2.50 for children under-16 and OAPs. Single tickets are available to purchase in advance from Steel Park on matchdays and Northamptonshire FA offices in person during the week. Admission is available on the night of the game.