Sophie Haywood: 'The cliché is that it's just another game - but in reality, it isn't' | OneFootball

This Sunday is a landmark moment in women's football as each home side in the top two tiers is set to kick off at their main home ground, which should attract bumper crowds up and down the country.

Haywood and her team-mates are gearing up to play at St. James' Park, just three months since their last match there against AC Milan Women, and the versatile attacker is looking to create more memories when the Lasses face Southampton Women.

Tickets for the 2pm (GMT) kick-off are on sale now from book.newcastleunited.com.

"I'm buzzing for it," Haywood admitted. "Obviously I got a little taster for it against AC Milan and while it wasn't a competitive game, to just get out there and soak up the atmosphere was great.

"It's such an amazing stadium and my dad always said it was one of the best he's ever been to, so to be able to play there on that pitch is just incredible.

"It would be amazing (to set a new record attendance) but it's also a big weekend for women's football.

"This just goes to show the backing and support we've got, not just in Newcastle but in the wider picture of women's football, and it's nice to help grow the game."

Newcastle will be looking to bounce back from only their second defeat of the season when they welcome Southampton Women to Tyneside, but Haywood knows they'll need their loyal supporters if they're to do so.

One of the main messages will be to ensure the occasion doesn't get the better of anyone - although United's number 18 is ready to embrace all of the emotions that will come on Sunday.

She added: "When I first walked out onto the pitch, I was just thinking, 'what a stadium this is,' but then when I emerged and all the fans were there, it was incredible.

"You could feel the atmosphere building and weirdly it just immediately felt like home, and I can't wait to get back out there.

"The cliché is that it's just another game - but in reality, it isn't. There's more emotion walking out onto the pitch and more meaning to it, especially for the girls who've always been fans of the club and ones that have been here a long time.

"We've got to be able to harness the emotions on Sunday and make sure we use it correctly."

Haywood's inaugural St. James' Park appearance came at the pre-season Sela Weekender, but stepping out in the Women's Championship will be a different feeling.

This will be the Lasses' seventh outing at the stadium, and as they look to maintain their 100 per cent record United's Hull-born attacker urged first-time women's football watchers to show their support.

"I'm used to experiencing an unreal atmosphere at home games, but I've been told it's something else at St. James' Park," she said.

"Whenever I speak to fans who are coming to a women's game for the first time, they never come for just one - they keep coming back and get hooked.

"I'd say to anyone, give it a chance, come down on Sunday and fingers crossed we can get you hooked."

Tickets for Newcastle United Women v Southampton Women are on sale now from book.newcastleunited.com.