CFCW Preview: Warrington Town (a)

    It’s ‘Derby Day’ for Chester FC Women this weekend, as they make the short trip away to face local rivals Warrington Town Women looking to record a tenth consecutive league win in a row.

    The Blues unbeaten run stretching back to November came to an end last Sunday, as they crashed out of The Alliance Design & Print Cup following a 2-1 home defeat to Preston North End.

    In front of a record attendance for the second week in a row, Chester bowed out of of the competition at the first round stage following an injury time winner. Evie Halliwell’s long range effort proved in vain for The Seals as they tasted defeat.

    Sunday’s hosts come into this weekend’s game on the back of a 9-1 defeat at home to Liverpool FC Women U21 last time out. Despite this the Yellows have won three out of their last five games in the league and currently find themselves in 4th place in the table.

    The two sides have already met once this season in the Second Qualifying Round of The Women’s FA Cup, with Chester coming out on top and advancing following a 4-1 win.

    MATCH DETAILS

    Kick off is 2:30pm on Sunday afternoon at Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3AA

    Entry is free for all supporters.

    STAT ATTACK

    ● Chester forward Molly Wood grabbed a second half hattrick when the two sides last met.

    ● The Blues are currently unbeaten in their last three games against Warrington, with two wins and one draw.

    FROM THE DUGOUT

    “I can’t talk about Sunday and not mention the crowd – they were brilliant.

    “The noise when Evie Halliwell scored her goal was the loudest I’ve ever heard it for us. The children waiting at the end for pictures and autographs. It’s amazing! We’re creating a generation of children who want to play for Chester and that is vital in the growth of the club.

    “The back-to-back record attendances shouldn’t be overlooked, but we’ll need of their support from the stands, cheering us on for the rest of the season! With them behind is I know we’ll have a strong end to the season.

    “The game itself was a mixed bag from us. We conceded very early on, and that always makes the game difficult, but we did well to regain our composure, without really testing their keeper too often. In spells we were really good. I wouldn’t say we created a lot of chances, but the chances we did create were very good and perhaps should have done better.

    “We had wrongly one goal ruled out, 10 minutes or so from the end. Albeit against the run of play, if that stands, the whole dynamic of the game changes. Overall, I thought it was an even game. Credit to Preston, they’re a good side who play good football and press well. We will learn a lot from that game and improve.

    “This week is all about the reaction. The players feel that we were below par in our performance, so now its about righting the wrongs. We have always focused on ourselves. Making sure we’re doing the right things and then we believe that gives us the best chance of winning. We’ll get back to that for Sunday and make sure we get a positive result.”

    Preview by Jordan McNicholas.

    Photo courtesy of Luke Reynolds Photography.