I am writing this, the first BotP Women's Grassroots preview, with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Excitement because I am hoping this is the start of a weekly preview and results review for Tiers 5 & 6 of the women's game. That is tempered with a fear that football will not actually restart any time soon or, even worse, that we will see another season abandoned. At the time of writing the proposed restart is up in the air especially as many teams are in the tier 3 areas and consequently cannot have spectators. Even travel between tiers is still unanswered. Hopefully the FA will clear this all up soon.
Still, we plough on, so welcome to the our first matchday preview post where we take a look, region by region, of some forthcoming fixtures. Apologies if your team is not covered in this article, there are way too many to preview every game but all attempts will be made to feature all teams over time. Bear with us.
We start in the North West which is one of the areas at greatest threat from tier 3 restrictions.
North West
In the Premier League the big match up of the weekend sees fourth placed Tranmere Rovers take on third placed FC United of Manchester. With the top five teams in the league all having 6 points and no game for the top two, Crewe and Morecambe, the winner of this game will go top of the tree.
In Division 1 North leaders Darwen, defending a 100% record after three games, look forward to the visit of Workington who are an unknown quantity having not yet played a league fixture. Waiting to pounce on any Darwen slip-ups are Penrith in third, 100% after just one game, who take on fourth placed Sir Tom Finney, who have one won and lost one of their opening two.
Division 1 South is led by Chester who do not have a game. Second placed Salford City can close the gap at the top to two points if they can overcome West Kirby, who are looking for their first win in three games.
Southern
In the Premier League leaders Wycombe Wanderers are without a game but there is a fascinating clash in Hampshire as third placed Winchester Flyers take on second placed Abingdon United. With the top four only separated by goal difference and fourth placed Woodley also not in action, the winner of this game will go top of the pile.
In Division 1 South there is a classic bottom versus top match-up as Southampton Reserves make the trip North to visit Tilehurst Panthers. Any slip up from Southampton could be pounced upon by second placed neighbours Bournemouth at home to New Milton, or third placed Eastleigh who make the trip up to South West London to take on Abbey Rangers.
South West
In the Premier League leaders Marine Academy take their 100% record to sixth placed Bishop's Lydeard whilst second placed Bideford, who are only kept off the top spot by goal difference, face an interesting looking home game against Ilminster Town. Fourth placed Town are also defending a 100% record after two games.
The Eastern Division is headed by Forest Green Rovers who have a 100% record after five games. However, that is set to be given a severe test in the game of the day as they travel South to take on second placed Frome Town. There is also a Swindon derby as third placed Town welcome second from bottom Supermarine.
The Western Division has no fixtures scheduled until January but in the North leaders Oldland Abbotonians travel to second from bottom Downend Flyers. The tastiest tie of the weekend is in Bristol as second placed Bristol Ladies Union, with their 100% record after 4 games, welcome third placed Weston Mendip, 1 point behind their hosts but having played a game more.
East Midlands
There are plenty of fixtures scheduled in the East Midlands divisions, all of which are League Cup games. In Loughborough there is a very interesting looking derby game that sees the Premier League's second placed side, Loughborough Students, taking on Division 1 South neighbours Loughborough Foxes Vixens. In another local derby Division 1 North leaders Chesterfield prepare for the visit of Premier League outfit Mansfield Town. Chesterfield's Hall Corner ground is in Glapwell, just 10 minutes drive out of Mansfield. Division 1 South basement side Thrapston Town, currently winless in the league, look for some relief as they entertain Premier League opposition in Oughtibridge.
Eastern
Two Eastern Premier sides have FA Cup dates against higher league opposition to look forward to. Luton Town take on Enfield Town whilst fourth placed Harlow Town will be looking forward to testing themselves at home to Ipswich Town. Meanwhile, in the league, bottom side Bowers & Pitsea look to climb away from the drop zone but have a tricky task at home to second placed Peterborough Northern Star.
Division 1 North leaders King's Lynn Town look to extend their lead and their 100% record at home to Haverhill Rovers. Should they slip up second placed Cambridge City will be hoping to capitalise as they take on Newmarket Town. In the South rock-bottom East Bergholt, looking for their first win, go up against league leaders Millwall Lionesses. Just below the leaders unbeaten Hutton, only second on goal difference, await the visit of Wodson Park.
North Eastern
In the Premier League only York City of the top four are in action. They will be hoping to pull three points clear with a home win against mid-table Redcar Town. At the bottom Ossett United, who have drawn both games so far, will be looking to leapfrog Farsley Celtic as the two go head to head.
In Division 1 North Lumley look to extend their lead at the top with a home game against Norton & Stockton Ancients Reserves. Meanwhile Prudhoe, still looking for their first point, welcome mid-table West Allotment Celtic. Altofts lead Division 1 South, two points clear but having played an extra game. They will be wanting to take all 3 points at home to mid-table Bradford Park Avenue, especially as second placed Wakefield Trinity welcome a Harrogate Town side who are still pointless after five games.
London & South East
With the London and South East leagues not scheduled to restart until the 13th December, only Eastbourne Town have a game this weekend. They take on National League Division 1 South East side Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.
West Midlands
Games are not scheduled to restart in the West Midland's division until the following Sunday, 13th December.
At the time of writing this I am still not sure if the games will go ahead. However, let's hope that sanity prevails and we can get back playing and watching some football. If/when the games are played I will also be looking to put out a round-up of the action, including links to match reports on official websites. If anyone wants to put out a match report but has no platform to publish it, send it in to [email protected] and I will gladly publish it with full credits to the author. All reports will be promoted through the @wgfcnews Twitter feed but will also be retweeted through @BasePyramid (over 4,000 followers). Let's get the word out there!
Still, we plough on, so welcome to the our first matchday preview post where we take a look, region by region, of some forthcoming fixtures. Apologies if your team is not covered in this article, there are way too many to preview every game but all attempts will be made to feature all teams over time. Bear with us.
We start in the North West which is one of the areas at greatest threat from tier 3 restrictions.
North West
In the Premier League the big match up of the weekend sees fourth placed Tranmere Rovers take on third placed FC United of Manchester. With the top five teams in the league all having 6 points and no game for the top two, Crewe and Morecambe, the winner of this game will go top of the tree.
In Division 1 North leaders Darwen, defending a 100% record after three games, look forward to the visit of Workington who are an unknown quantity having not yet played a league fixture. Waiting to pounce on any Darwen slip-ups are Penrith in third, 100% after just one game, who take on fourth placed Sir Tom Finney, who have one won and lost one of their opening two.
Division 1 South is led by Chester who do not have a game. Second placed Salford City can close the gap at the top to two points if they can overcome West Kirby, who are looking for their first win in three games.
Southern
In the Premier League leaders Wycombe Wanderers are without a game but there is a fascinating clash in Hampshire as third placed Winchester Flyers take on second placed Abingdon United. With the top four only separated by goal difference and fourth placed Woodley also not in action, the winner of this game will go top of the pile.
In Division 1 South there is a classic bottom versus top match-up as Southampton Reserves make the trip North to visit Tilehurst Panthers. Any slip up from Southampton could be pounced upon by second placed neighbours Bournemouth at home to New Milton, or third placed Eastleigh who make the trip up to South West London to take on Abbey Rangers.
South West
In the Premier League leaders Marine Academy take their 100% record to sixth placed Bishop's Lydeard whilst second placed Bideford, who are only kept off the top spot by goal difference, face an interesting looking home game against Ilminster Town. Fourth placed Town are also defending a 100% record after two games.
The Eastern Division is headed by Forest Green Rovers who have a 100% record after five games. However, that is set to be given a severe test in the game of the day as they travel South to take on second placed Frome Town. There is also a Swindon derby as third placed Town welcome second from bottom Supermarine.
The Western Division has no fixtures scheduled until January but in the North leaders Oldland Abbotonians travel to second from bottom Downend Flyers. The tastiest tie of the weekend is in Bristol as second placed Bristol Ladies Union, with their 100% record after 4 games, welcome third placed Weston Mendip, 1 point behind their hosts but having played a game more.
East Midlands
There are plenty of fixtures scheduled in the East Midlands divisions, all of which are League Cup games. In Loughborough there is a very interesting looking derby game that sees the Premier League's second placed side, Loughborough Students, taking on Division 1 South neighbours Loughborough Foxes Vixens. In another local derby Division 1 North leaders Chesterfield prepare for the visit of Premier League outfit Mansfield Town. Chesterfield's Hall Corner ground is in Glapwell, just 10 minutes drive out of Mansfield. Division 1 South basement side Thrapston Town, currently winless in the league, look for some relief as they entertain Premier League opposition in Oughtibridge.
Eastern
Two Eastern Premier sides have FA Cup dates against higher league opposition to look forward to. Luton Town take on Enfield Town whilst fourth placed Harlow Town will be looking forward to testing themselves at home to Ipswich Town. Meanwhile, in the league, bottom side Bowers & Pitsea look to climb away from the drop zone but have a tricky task at home to second placed Peterborough Northern Star.
Division 1 North leaders King's Lynn Town look to extend their lead and their 100% record at home to Haverhill Rovers. Should they slip up second placed Cambridge City will be hoping to capitalise as they take on Newmarket Town. In the South rock-bottom East Bergholt, looking for their first win, go up against league leaders Millwall Lionesses. Just below the leaders unbeaten Hutton, only second on goal difference, await the visit of Wodson Park.
North Eastern
In the Premier League only York City of the top four are in action. They will be hoping to pull three points clear with a home win against mid-table Redcar Town. At the bottom Ossett United, who have drawn both games so far, will be looking to leapfrog Farsley Celtic as the two go head to head.
In Division 1 North Lumley look to extend their lead at the top with a home game against Norton & Stockton Ancients Reserves. Meanwhile Prudhoe, still looking for their first point, welcome mid-table West Allotment Celtic. Altofts lead Division 1 South, two points clear but having played an extra game. They will be wanting to take all 3 points at home to mid-table Bradford Park Avenue, especially as second placed Wakefield Trinity welcome a Harrogate Town side who are still pointless after five games.
London & South East
With the London and South East leagues not scheduled to restart until the 13th December, only Eastbourne Town have a game this weekend. They take on National League Division 1 South East side Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.
West Midlands
Games are not scheduled to restart in the West Midland's division until the following Sunday, 13th December.
At the time of writing this I am still not sure if the games will go ahead. However, let's hope that sanity prevails and we can get back playing and watching some football. If/when the games are played I will also be looking to put out a round-up of the action, including links to match reports on official websites. If anyone wants to put out a match report but has no platform to publish it, send it in to [email protected] and I will gladly publish it with full credits to the author. All reports will be promoted through the @wgfcnews Twitter feed but will also be retweeted through @BasePyramid (over 4,000 followers). Let's get the word out there!
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