Match Preview: Warrington Wolves v Chester FC Women

It’s ‘Derby Day’ this Sunday, as Chester FC Women travel to the Tetley Walker Recreation Ground to take on local rivals Warrington Wolves.

The Seals made it five consecutive wins in all competitions last Sunday following a very impressive 5-1 away victory against Carlisle United in the Argyle Sports Plate. Prior to the recent good run of form the Blues had gone almost four months without a win in any competition, but a huge win just before the winter break added much needed confidence and belief ahead of the second half of the season.

Following recent results Chester have advanced in two cup competitions reaching the Semi-Final of the County Cup and have climbed up three places in the league . The side come into Sunday’s big game in very good form and Martin Fitzsimons will be hoping his side can carry their momentum on.

Ahead of this weekend’s game Chester currently occupy 5th in the league, one place above Warrington with both sides on 16 points but Chester having the inferior goal difference. A win for the Seals this weekend could see them record a 6th consecutive win in all competitions and finish the afternoon as high as 4th in the league.

Sunday’s opponents Warrington come into Sunday’s game having only recorded one win in their last five games, as mentioned they are one place behind Chester in the league having played two games more. The Wolves have endured a mixed season to date having won four of their eleven games in the league, a win for them on Sunday would move them above rivals Chester and potentially into 4th place.

STAT ATTACK

• Last season's fixtures between the sides saw both Chester and Warrington both register one win (Chester 2-0 Warrington & Warrington 2-1 Chester).
• Warrington have picked up just one win in their last five games in the league.
• A win for Chester on Sunday would see them record a 6th consecutive win in all competitions.
• A goal for Chester’s Molly Wood on Sunday would see her score for the four game running.

Form Guide (Most Recent First)

Warrington Wolves: LLWLD

Chester FC Women: WWWWW

Manager Thoughts

“This weekend is just another challenge along our journey. Every team poses a different challenge, and recently, we’ve come up with all the answers. The history, whilst I’ve been at the club, suggests it will be a close game, where you must concentrate for 90 minutes plus. If you don't, Warrington are a team that is capable of punishing you. We need to treat it like every other game we have done recently”.

“Our Forwards have been on fire recently. Long may that continue. Obviously, the goals and assists of Emma Gray and Molly Wood have been crucial and quite rightly take a lot of the accolade’s. But recently Ell Bradley has been an unsung hero putting in some good performances. I was over the moon that she got her goal on Sunday, with a great finish too. We still have Alisha Wright amongst some talented youngsters to join the fold which is exciting to see what those players can do in the not-so-distant future”.

“Lately, I’ve been really pleased with our attitude and application of the whole team in games. The forwards score the goals but they need the midfield and the defence to play their part in giving them the platform to do what they do. There’s a healthy respect that everyone plays their part in the game. Regardless of the situation we find ourselves in throughout the game, we play football. The players look like they have a healthy arrogance about them, a refusal to play any other way, than the way we know. They’re together and any tough moments they find themselves in games they know when to hit the ‘reset button’. Provided we do that again on Sunday, we will come out of the game with the result we want”.