Northamptonshire Football Association and Corby Town are delighted to announce that FA Women’s Super League champions Arsenal Ladies will play 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 at the Steelmen's new stadium on 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.

England reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup last year and many of the Arsenal team are expected to figure in Team GB at the Olympics and then in the 2013 European Championships in Sweden.

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 will also be available on the night of the game but fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to guarantee entry.

There are three discounted group deals available to purchase online: A family ticket of two adults and three children costs £15; a group ticket for two adults and 15 children is £40 and a group booking for 15 adults available for just £60.

Please click here to purchase online.

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