Five things to look out for this weekend
Deep into the business end of the season, this weekend’s fixtures include important games at both ends of the Southern Region Women’s Football League Premier Division, while one team is potentially just 90 minutes away from claiming back-to-back promotions.
Rovers on the cusp of glory
Bristol Rovers head into the weekend with one hand and four fingers on the league trophy, knowing that a single point is all that’s required to clinch the SWRWFL (South West Regional Women’s Football League) Northern Division crown at the first time of asking.
With a record of 12 wins, 1 draw, and a single loss this term, the Gas Girls have excelled in the sixth tier after gaining promotion from the Gloucestershire County Women’s Football League last season and are now potentially 90 minutes away from realising back-to-back promotions.
Standing in their way is Weston Mendip, who are without a win this season and only spared the bottom spot thanks to goal difference.
The visitors face a daunting task trying to keep the host’s celebrations on ice, and while Rovers will take nothing for granted, it would take a brave person to bet against the champagne corks popping in celebration on Sunday.
Top two go head-to-head in SRWFL
Moneyfields take to the road on Sunday as they travel to Oxfordshire to face Abingdon United in a pivotal top-of-the-table clash in the Southern Region Women’s Football League Premier Division.
Separated by a single point, the stakes couldn’t be higher as both teams vie for a much-coveted spot in the FA Women’s National League.
The hosts hold a slender advantage heading into Sunday’s encounter and would likely be very satisfied with a draw knowing that they close out the season at home against Oxford City, Winchester City Flyers, and Woodley United, currently the bottom three sides in the division. Whereas the visitors, who have yet to taste defeat in league competition this season and hold a 2-1 victory over the league leaders, need to secure all three points to put them in control of their own destiny.
The stage is set for what is certain to be a fiercely contested match with title ramifications in the SRWFL.
Cobblers on fire
With eight wins from eight so far in the East Midland’s Regional Football League’s Premier Division, Northampton Town have taken to life in the fifth tier with ease.
It has been a historic season for joint-managers Josh Oldfield and Lou Barry’s side so far. One which has seen the club set an attendance record of 604 at Sixfields Stadium against Rotherham United, as well as reach the Third Round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup for the first time before bowing out to Lincoln City.
Now, with their sights firmly set on promotion to the fourth tier, they get set to travel to Inkersall Road to face second-placed Chesterfield FC as only one of two teams in tiers 5 and 6 to hold a perfect record.
It’s a huge game at the top of the table. And while Oldfield and Barry will warn their side against complacency ahead of Sunday’s meeting with a very formidable Spireites side that is capable of hurting them, they will know that it presents Town with the perfect opportunity to send a strong message to the rest of the division while extending their lead at the top.
Nuts bid to make it ten wins on the spin
AFC Acorns are currently riding high in confidence at the top of Division One South in the London & South East Regional Women’s Football League, having put together a nine-match winning streak that extends all the way back to September.
Boasting an aggregate of 37 goals scored and 10 conceded across their nine-game winning run, the Nuts are firmly in the title mix as we head into the business end of the season and will look to continue their promotion push against league strugglers Maidstone United this weekend.
Can they go one better make it ten wins on the bounce this Sunday?
Can Woodley United claim an important win?
Woodley have endured a disappointing season which has seen them rooted to the foot of the table since opening day, registering just three points from eleven games.
However, despite their difficulties, they’re only three points adrift at the bottom of table and still have everything to play for in the final stretch of the season in the SRWFL Premier Division – starting this Sunday as they travel to Winchester City Flyers.
Victory on Sunday would guarantee they move above Oxford City and potentially above Winchester City Flyers, depending on the scoreline. And while it won’t be easy against a side that already holds a 1-6 win over them this season, it is arguably one of their best opportunities to put some invaluable points on the board.