MATCH PREVIEW: Chester FC Women v Stockport County Ladies

Chester FC Women are in Quarter Final action this weekend, as they face National League Division One North side Stockport County Ladies in the Cheshire FA Ladies Cup at Helsby Sports Club.

The Blues’ six game game winning run in all competitions came to an end last Sunday following a dramatic 4-3 loss on penalties to Premier Division side Tranmere Rovers Women after the game finished 3-3 in normal time.

Although penalty heartache signalled the end of Chester’s winning run and ultimately knocked them out of the Argyle Plate, Seals Manager Martin Fitzsimons had numerous positives to take from the game. His side twice came from two goals down in the game having trailed 2-0 early on and 3-1 at half-time. Chester managed to match Tranmere large parts of the game and Fitzsimons’ can be proud of his side’s efforts against a side ranked two divisions higher.

This weekend’s opponents Stockport County Ladies ply their trade in the National League Division One North and are currently placed 4th in the table having played 14 games. The Hatters come into Sunday’s match with just two wins in their last five and currently sit 13 points off the pace behind league leaders Durham Cestria. This game will offer Chester a very stern test against a team ranked higher, but having shown in previous weeks the Seals can be a match for any side on their day.

Stat Attack:

• Chester reached this stage of the competition following a 4-1 away victory against Nantwich Town FC Ladies in the previous game
• Molly Wood kept her great scoring record up in front of goal by scoring for the 6th game in a row in all competitions against Tranmere last weekend
• Chester have scored 16 goals in their last two games in this competition
• Stockport have scored at least one goal in each of their last nine games in all competitions

Form Guide (Most Recent First):

Chester FC Women : LWWWW

Stockport County Ladies : DWLWL

Manager's Thoughts:

“Last weekend was hard to take. A difficult well drilled team in Tranmere, adding to that their technical qualities, it was always going to be difficult task. The way the game panned out, I couldn’t have asked for more. Work rate and desire were as high as I’ve ever seen and having got back into the game at 3-3, and we felt we could have won it with the momentum being in our favour. That said we didn’t create anything clear cut.

“The main challenge this week is to bounce back. It’s mentally tough, to put so much into a game and come so close but to lose on penalties. It takes strong characters to do that. To add to that, Stockport are the highest ranked team we’ve faced this season which will pose new threats. Just like we did last weekend, we’ll have to come up with new solutions to whatever problems they cause.

“We’ll need to make sure we take the same desire and commitment into this game, and we’ll see where we’re at. We’re looking forward to the test and as always we’ll give it everything we’ve got and put in a performance we can be proud of.”

MATCH PREVIEW COURTESY OF JORDAN McNICHOLAS.