This Sunday, Guiseley Vixens face West Yorkshire rivals Bradford City Women at Nethermoor Park. It’s the first time the two sides have met this season and it’s been spoken about with great importance for the club after some disappointing results.
Last time the two clubs met it was in a heated County Cup Semi-Final and this week, manager Glen Preston sat down and expressed his thoughts ahead of what is expected to be an interesting fixture.
Last week you were unlucky to lose to last year’s winners and the only side to win all of their games so far this campaign, Blackburn Rovers. This must fill the squad with confidence coming into this match with Bradford?
“We played well last week but we are a little tired of playing well and not picking up what we deserve. I’ve watched back over the game versus Blackburn last week a couple of times and every time I watch the game I’m left wondering how we didn’t score more or how we allowed Blackburn to score three when they didn’t really create enough good quality chances to justify three goals.
“Saying that, the game is gone now and all we are focused on is bettering ourselves this week and I want us to put in an even better display this weekend against Bradford. We believe in our process and if we continue to play the way we are we know results will come because we are playing too well to be bottom of this league.”
Last time you played each other was in the County Cup semi-final last season where you eventually lost 3-0. You know a lot about them and how are you going to rectify it this time around and get the points?
“I think this Bradford team is actually very different from the one we played a few months back, this side is showing a little bit more ambition in possession and playing a unique system. Fair play to them for that, I always have respect for anyone who does their own thing and doesn’t follow the norm. That’s what we’ve built our own success on over the last year or so and it will make for another interesting battle.
“I think for us we must be cleverer than we were last season. It’s all well and good having 70% possession and creating three chances to everyone they have, but if you’re not clinical in front of goal it’s meaningless.
“Some players last year felt the heat of this game. One or two heavy tackles put them out of their comfort zone, so we must be stronger mentally and physically this time around and find solutions to some difficult problems that they might cause us.
“That being said I do feel as though our performances are getting better each week, our new players are starting to adapt to our principles of play and so if we play to our best I think we will be tough to beat.”
You already know they’re a physical side, they’ve picked up multiple cards this season already including a red and with it being a derby match. What type of game do you see being played out?
“The same I expect every week to be honest; a good contested a game.
“We see this as our turn to roll up our sleeves up and raise the stakes on our opposition, we are on our turf this weekend and they come as guests to our house but once we cross the white line, friendships go out of the window and I will be expecting my players to be the ones to let Bradford know that if they want the points they best be willing to earn them.
“I want my players to take the fight to them this time around and leave it all out on the pitch. That’s all I can ask of them.”
The game is at Nethermoor Park with a 2PM kick-off. Entry is £4, £1 concessions and Free to GAFC Season Ticket holders.
Photo: Alex Daniel
