PREVIEW: Chester FC Women v Runcorn Linnets Ladies

The big games just keep on coming for Chester FC Women, as this weekend they face a top of the table clash against the league leaders Runcorn Linnets FC Ladies, at Helsby Sports Club.

The Seals’ three match winning run in the league came to an abrupt but unfortunate end last weekend following a 3-2 loss to third place Bury AFC Women. Chester fought hard to come from 2-0 down early on to level the game up at 2-2, but ultimately suffered late heartbreak for the second time this season against Bury conceding a late winner, a result which saw Chester slip to 5th in the league table.

Prior to last weekend’s narrow league defeat, Chester had won their last three league games in a row with an impressive 19 goals scored in the process. Seals manager Martin Fitzsimon’s will have to rally his troops again for this weekend with the prospect of facing the league leaders which on paper looks set to be a daunting challenge for The Seals. But having shown on more than one occasion this season already, Chester can be a match for anybody on their day and they will be looking to get their league campaign back on track this weekend with a win.

Sunday’s visitors Runcorn come into this weekend’s game in fine form having won their last four league games in row scoring 17 goals in the process. The league leaders are currently sitting top of the league having won an impressive 13 of their 15 games so far this season. You have to go back as far as the opening game of the season for Runcorn’s only league defeat to date this season so far a 3-2 defeat against Bury AFC Women. Sunday’s game will provide Chester with a very difficult task against a well organised side that have only lost one game all season, both sides met earlier on this season at the APEC Taxis Stadium with Runcorn coming out on top with a 4-2 win.

STAT ATTACK:

• Chester will be looking to end their three game losing streak with victory on Sunday
• Charlotte Locke and Ellie Bradley were both on target for Chester when the two sides met in September
• A win on Sunday for Runcorn and results elsewhere could see them go six points clear at the top

Form Guide (Most Recent First)

Chester FC Women : LLLWW

Runcorn Linnets FC Ladies : WWWWD

Manager Thoughts:

“From the standards we set ourselves, we’re disappointed. We didn’t do ourselves justice in the first half. And off the back of the previous games, that just isn’t good enough. We gave them the gift of a two goal lead at half time without them ever threatening our goal. That said, the response to get back into the game and get it back to 2-0 was more than deserved, and we felt unlucky to not come away with three points never mind one based on our second half performance.

“This weekend we have a point to prove. We’ve not taken enough points off the teams in and around us at the top of the table. Anyone that’s been to watch us play regularly knows we’ve taken massive steps this season, and when we’re good, we’re very good. But it’s individual errors that cost us, our lack of clean sheets this year proves that. We’ll being going out to make a positive change towards that and get the three points against Runcorn. That’s the next challenge for this group.”