It’s a first league game in eight weeks for Altrincham FC Women, who travel to Cammell Laird to face Wirral Phoenix in the North West Women’s Regional League Division One North on Sunday, February 1.

The Robins lost out 1-0 to Manchester Laces on December, 7, though defeated Nantwich Town Women 4-2 the week prior, the first league defeat for the table-toppers in over a year.

Despite having a significant break from North West Women’s Regional League action, Daryll Abrahams’ side have had two cup games, losing out 3-0 in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup third round.

Last weekend, Altrincham progressed to the first round of the Alliance Design and Print Plate with a 3-2 victory over Chorley Women Development. Emily Rutter netted a brace and Francesca Boyle scored on her competitive debut, having made the step up from the Elite U18 side.

Wirral Phoenix sit fifth with five wins and four draws from 14 league games. Their first league game after the Christmas break ended goalless against AFC Crewe Women.

Winless in five games, including heavy defeats against Chester FC Women and Macclesfield FC Women, Wirral Phoenix will be looking for their first victory since the start of November.

They also fell to defeat against Altrincham in the reverse fixture back in September. Rutter opened the scoring before Brogan Walsh headed home in the second half to secure a 2-0 victory for the Robins.

Elite U18

Like the first team, the Elite U18 side have their second away game in a row. They take on Stockport County Ladies U18 at Life Leisure Sports Village in the semi final of the Cheshire FA Girls U18 Youth Cup.

Spencer O’Connor’s side got back to winning ways last weekend with a 2-0 victory over a strong Nantwich Town U18 Girls side. Second half goals from Mae Winchcombe and a Megan Hunt penalty ensured Alty left the Swansway Stadium with three crucial points. New signing Elise Fawkes made her debut having signed from Airbus FC.

Altrincham made it to the semi final with 1-0 and 5-0 victories over Vauxhall Motors U18 Ladies and Lymm Rovers Junior U17 Lionesses, respectively. Similarly, Stockport County picked up two victories without conceding, 10-0 and 3-0 against Sandbach United U18 Girls and Nantwich Town U18 Girls.

Like Altrincham, the Hatters have had an exceptional season in the Cheshire Women Youth Football League U18 Premier Division, and are one of just two teams to defeat the Robins this campaign.

Stockport came out the right side of a 10 goal thriller in the second game of the season, picking up a 6-4 victory over Altrincham.