CFCW Preview: Preston North End (h)

    It’s cup competition this weekend for Chester FC Women this weekend, as they welcome Preston North End to The Leap76 Stadium in the first round of The Alliance Design & Print Cup.

    The Blues recorded a club record ninth consecutive league victory in a row last time out, following a convincing 3-0 win against Northwich Vixens.

    Chester forward Molly Wood was at it once again, adding a a brace to her ever growing goal tally this season, with Sarah Redman grabbing the other as Chester closed the gap on league leaders Wythenshawe to within three points.

    The Seals advanced through to the first round of the competing a following a comfortable 6-0 away victory at Mossley Hill, with Wood grabbing a hattrick to set up this weekend’s clash.

    Sunday’s visitors currently apply their trade in Division One North and are currently placed fourth in the table with nine wins from seventeen games to date.

    The Lilywhites come into this weekends game on the back of a 2-0 defeat against Mancunian Unity, and are currently on a run of only one win in their last five matches.

    MATCH DETAILS

    Kick off is 2pm on Sunday afternoon at the Leap76 Stadium, CH1 4LT.

    Entry to the game is either via your CFCW Season Ticket which can be scanned, or payment via contactless at the gate. Matchday prices are as follows…

    • £3 Adults
    • £2 Concessions
    • £1 Under 16’s

    Refreshments for the game will be available in the Main Stand kiosk.

    STAT ATTACK

    ● Chester’s Molly Wood has eleven goals in her last four games in all competitions.

    ● Preston currently hold a win percentage of 37.5% on the road this season, having won three and lost five.

    FROM THE DUGOUT

    “Last weekend felt like a celebration of us. From the Her Game Too fixture on the Saturday, to the record-breaking crowd on the Sunday. Although hopefully not a record for much longer!

    “That whole weekend just shows how far we’ve come, not just as individual team, but as a whole club. There’s been a lot of talk with various different people on the board with ideas to help increase awareness. Unfortunately, we can’t do them all for a multitude of reasons, however the passion and willingness is there and everyone wants to make this part of the club, sustainable.

    “The game against Northwich wasn’t our best performance of the season. We did a lot of what we set out to do. Dominate possession, our full backs were in dangerous areas of the pitch and be quick in transition when we lose the ball. However, our finishing wasn’t as sharp as we would have liked, and we wasted a lot of very good changes, which on another week, can cost you. That said, we managed to get the three points and get another clean sheet and control the game.

    “Training this week has been good. That’s the best thing about this group, there’s a lot of positives about the game on Sunday, but this group are relentless in their efforts to get better.

    “I think the promotion around the game has helped. We’re hoping to break the record set last week again. And the players know they’ll need to perform to their standards, and then we’ll give ourselves the best chance of winning and entertaining the fans!”

    Preview by Jordan McNicholas.

    Photo courtesy of Luke Reynolds Photography.