Words Ben Edwards

Daryll Abrahams’ side return to league action this weekend and are back on the road with a trip to Warrington Town Women in the North West Women’s Regional League Division One South.

Altrincham Women faced fellow Division One South opponents Runcorn Linnets Ladies in the quarter-final 2 of the Cheshire FA Women’s Cup at Partington Sports Village last time out. Despite Emily Rutter give Altrincham a 1-0 lead at the break, Runcorn finished the game as 4-1 winners, the second time they have defeated the Robins this season.

Prior to the Runcorn game, Altrincham were on a three-game winning streak to begin 2026, with victories over Liverpool Feds Reserves Women and Wirral Phoenix in the league and Chorley Women Development in the Alliance Design and Print Plate.

Francesca Boyle was ineligible to play in the Runcorn Linnets match, but had scored five goals in those three wins prior, her first three appearances for the first team. The Robins will be bolstered in attack with her anticipated return.

Warrington Town Women were also in Cheshire FA Women’s Cup quarter-final 2 action and progressed to the semi final with a 3-0 home victory over Northwich Vixens.

That came off the back of a 5-0 defeat to Division One North side Accrington Stanley Women in the 2nd round of the Alliance Design and Print Cup.

In the league, the Yellows won their last fixture 4-2 at home against AFC Crewe two weeks ago.

The reverse fixture between Altrincham and Warrington in September ended 4-2 to the Robins, Abrahams’ first league win in charge. Again it was Rutter who opened the scoring four minutes into the second half. Chloe Green equalised for the visitors, but a Georgia McKnight double and a Kira Saycell goal sealed the deal.

Elite U18

Whilst attention turns away from the cup for the first team, it’s all eyes on the all-Alty quarter final between the Elite U18s and Junior U17 Swifts in the Manchester FA Girls U18 Cup.

It’s the first game this season in the competition for both sides, with the Elite U18 getting a walkover against Unsworth Junior U18 Lionesses and the Swifts getting a bye.

Having been knocked out of the Cheshire FA County Cup in the semi-final against Stockport County Ladies U18, and suffering a heavy league defeat against runaway leaders Wythenshawe FC U18, it’s a good opportunity for Spencer O’Connor’s side to get back to winning ways and earn success in a cup competition.

Meanwhile, the U17 Sharks will be determined to prove that they can compete with a side an age-group higher. Like the Elite U18s, they compete in the Cheshire Women and Youth Football League, though in the U17 Division.

Alty Sharks sit fifth out of eight teams, with 15 points from 13 games. They suffered a 3-2 defeat most recently against Grappenhall Sports U17 Girls. Despite Altrincham coming back to equalise after going down 2-0 in the first half, Grappenhall won it in the 85th minute.