NWWRFL Division One South – A round of intriguing fixtures awaits
The NWWRFL Division One South throws up a lot of intrigue this weekend following poor fixture planning in lieu of the Manchester County Challenge Cup disrupting last weekend’s round of games.
Top with two wins from two Altrincham were forced to watch from the side-lines last Sunday as their game against Curzon Ashton was postponed denying them the chance to extend their lead at the top of the league. Hoping that they break hasn’t disrupted any momentum they’ll face a Didsbury side buoyed by a 3-1 win over Wythenshawe Amateurs last Sunday and the GMWFL Champions will be confident they’ve got what it takes to compete at a higher level.
The undisputed one-to-watch for Altrincham right now is striker Laura Dodds whose helped herself to six goals in her opening two matches and will be no doubt looking to add to that tally this weekend.
Hoping to prove that last weekend’s Manchester Women’s Challenge Cup result was a one-off Curzon Ashton still boast a 100% record in the league thanks to wins over Northwich Vixens and Wythenshawe Amatuers. They welcome Chester FC who are fresh from an 8-0 win over City of Liverpool and will be looking to
Wythenshawe Amateurs welcome Liverpool Feds Reserves to Hollyhedge Park still looking for their first points of the season. Narrow defeats to Curzon Ashton and Didsbury don’t tell the full story of the Ams season as they continue to take their first steps in a new league. Feds had arguably the opening days most impressive result defeating Stockport County Blues 5-2 but were beaten 4-2 away to an experienced Warrington Wolverines last weekend.
Warrington Wolverines v Stockport County Blues rounds off the weekend’s fixtures in the division.
SSE Women’s FA Cup – The Road to Wembley diverts to Yorkshire
Two local NWWRFL sides are in SSE Women’s FA Cup action as they both head to Yorkshire this weekend.
FC United have a tough trip to Sheffield where they will take on Oughtibridge War Memorial. United will feel they have unfinished business in the competition having exited in the first qualifying round at the hands of Wigan Athletic last season when they were reduced to 10 players thanks to a controversial red card to leading goalscorer Jess Battle.
The East Midlands Regional League Premier Division side have enjoyed a 100% start to their league campaign with a 3-1 win over Woodlands and a 2-0 win over Ollerton Town. Last season’s EMRFL runners-up have been the beneficiary of a bye so far in this season’s competition when Malet Lambert withdrew.
The Rebels boosted their squad this week with the signing on defender Nicoile Malpus who joins from Bolton Wanderers having made 26 appearances for the trotters last season.
West Didsbury & Chorlton will be looking to make it four wins from four different competitions as they make an equally tough trip to Wakefield where they will face Tingley Athletic.
Tingley Athletic required extra-time to see off Altofts, one of the heroes of last season’s competition, winning 1-0 in the Preliminary Qualifying Round before they saw off higher level opposition when they defeated Harrogate Town 4-0 in the first qualifying round.
Having won the West Riding County League last season dropping just two points in the process it’s been a tougher start for them this time around losing 3-1 away to Hepworth United.
NWWRFL Premier Division – Merseyrail look for Stingers revenge
The sole Premier Division game on Sunday sees Merseyrail return to the scene of their FA Cup exit when they face Manchester Stingers at Whalley Range. On a cold and wet August bank holiday goals from Vicky Dillon and a Nic Armstrong brace handed Stingers a 3-1 win and £325 in prize money. It was the second successive win for Stingers over Merseyrail who also beat them at the back end of last season winning 4-0 in the league. Stingers will be hoping their recent good form will get them back on track after a 2-1 defeat against Accrington last week especially considering Merseyrail’ps start having lose 4-1 to Wigan Athletic, a side Stingers beat 2-1, and drawing 4-4 with Tranmere Rovers.
GMWFL Division One – Barr Hill and Salford City out to build on early success
Barr Hill will look to make it three wins from three on Sunday and create some daylight at the top of Division One when they welcome Urmston Meadowside to Bolton Road. Barr Hill have beaten Bolton L&G and Langho on their travels already this season and will be wanting to make it a happy homecoming. Away from the cameras Urmston Meadowside will be looking to prove last weekend’s home defeat to Salford City Lionesses was a mere blip pointing at their emphatic 8-0 win against Sale Ladies on the opening day as proof.
Already dubbed the Ell Thornton Derby and ‘Ell Clasico’ (OK by us) it’s a quick return for the former Bolton Lads & Girls Captain who returns to Hacken Lane with her new side Salford City Lionesses. Thornton bagged two against Urmston Meadowside this season and based on the Lionesses first showing will be keen to add the league winners medal to her 2017/19 GMWFL Player of the year trophy. For most GMWFL sides this season the big question will be if they can compete with Shauna Duffy’s recently assembled squad. After an impressive showing last Sunday the early question for Salford’s coaching staff will be how quickly they will establish the consistency and cohesion that any new team craves.
Rochdale kick started their season with a win last Sunday at home to Langho and will be looking to build on that with the visit of newly promoted Sale. It’s sure to be an entertaining game as the two teams have produced 31 goals in their four respective games (17 for Rochdale, 14 for Sale) already. Their last meeting in February produced a nervy 2-2 draw as Dale finished 2nd to Sale’s third. Sale will be looking to build on their 4-2 Manchester Women’s Challenge Cup win over Flixton.
With Langho in Lancashire Challenge Cup action away to North Lancs District Development Cenre it ensures that all Division One sides are in action throughout the weekend.
Lancashire Women’s Challenge Cup 1st Round Draw
Darwen Youth v Fleetwood Town Wrens
Sir Tom Finney H-W Moston Brook
North Lancs & District Development v Langho
Bolton Wanderers – Barrow Celtic Juniors Comets
Accrington Stanley – Southport
Bury Boys & Girls v Fylde
GMWFL Division Two – Swinton hope to extend lead whilst Tameside welcome West
A strong start for Swinton has been made even stronger following the league’s decision to award them a home walkover against Flixton this weekend. Swinton will look to take full advantage as they welcome AFC Oldham to Barton Road with victory meaning they could potentially extend their lead at the top of the table to 8 points by Sunday evening.
Two sides looking to make sure they keep in touch with Swinton at the top of the table meet at Ewen Fields on Sunday lunchtime as Tameside United take on West Didsbury & Chorlton Development. Tameside enter the game averaging three goals but have averaged four against collecting just one point from their opening two games; a thrilling 3-3 draw against Heyside.
West’s Development side finally got underway with a 3-1 win against AFC Oldham last Sunday who played with just 10 players. They’re sure to face a tougher test on the 4G surface in Tameside United as they build up to their League Challenge Cup meeting away to Salford City on September 30th.
Cheshire League
In the Premier Division, newly promoted Sale United are still in search of their first points of the season when they welcome Wythenshawe Amateurs Development side.
Manchester Rovers impressive start to the season will take the a break as they’re the odd team out in the 13 team division. Irlam Vale host Ashville Youth Ladies boosted by a 4-2 away win to Crosfield last weekend.
Stealing Five Yards 