Match preview

Our first game of 2023 is away at Bradford United.

We haven’t played United this season, our home game in September was postponed due to the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Bradford United Ladies are a strong team and it is probably fair to say that they haven’t performed at the levels they would expect this season.

They currently sit seventh in the league having played 11 games, recording four wins, one draw and six losses. Their home record is strong having recorded all their wins there, so it appears to be a tough ground to visit and leave with points.

Notable results in the league for United include a 9-1 win at home to Wakefield Owls; a ten goal thriller against Harrogate Railway Reserves where they shared the points; and a 7-4 win on the first day of the season against Railway at home.

Bradford United had a short run in the League Cup – losing 14-2 in a local derby against Bradford City Women u21s in the first round; and giving a home walkover to Amaranth Crossgates FC Ladies in the first round of the League Shield.

Knaresborough Town Women sit top of the league, having recorded seven-straight victories. Our league campaign has been good so far, with many tough games navigated successfully.

Unfortunately, we have exited both the League Cup and County Cup in the past three fixtures – losing to Ossett United Ladies and Skipton Town Ladies Firsts; both teams are from higher leagues and provided us with valuable lessons in team play, game management and how clinical we need to be.

With the cup exits, Boro’ can concentrate on the league and try and achieve our pre-season aim of getting promoted. It won’t be easy; we are not taking anything for granted; and there are many great teams in the division we play in.

We have compact squad and currently have two long-term injuries with Dani Hall and Fatimah Lapin both out for the foreseeable future.

The game on Sunday is on a 3G pitch and we are looking forward to getting back out there and playing.

Whatever 2023 brings…we’d love you to get pitch-side and support Knaresborough Town Women.