Guiseley Vixens welcome Leeds Ladies to Nethermoor Park this Sunday as they look to continue their winning start to the season.
The Lionesses have won their opening three games in the Premier League Division One and sit second in the league with a game in hand on first place Chorley.
The previous two meetings between the sides have seen Leeds win twice, so Guiseley will have to dig deep to keep their 100% winning start to the season alive.
Joint manager Kyle O’Reilly says that spirits are high for the fixture:
“Aside from long term injuries we have a clean bill of health coming into the game. We are boosted from the return of Sarah Danby who is back after being unavailable for the first two matches so we are in a good place currently.
“It’s a nice feeling having a derby so early on in the season and everyone is buzzing for it and I’m sure Leeds are too. There aren’t many rivalries at this level purely because the clubs are so spread out across the country so to have two local rivals in the league is fantastic and something for everyone involved to look forward to. Both clubs are ambitious and both have recruited very well over the summer so it’ll be great to see how well both teams have gelled together.”
You would think that after an unbeaten start to the season the pressure would be on, but O’Reilly says his side are feeling none.
“There’s no pressure at all really. We couldn’t have had a tougher start to the league drawing two title rivals away in our first two games and then to follow that, two derbies all within five to six weeks.
“We anticipated that things might not go our way early doors purely because of the limited time together as a group, but thankfully the professional attitude of the girls and the sheer work ethic of everybody involved at the club means we have nine out of nine points and a 100% start to league life.
“Of course we will be out to win Sunday but a setback wouldn’t be the end of the world as we’re still in control of what happens to the league this season” he said.
Having so many new signings this season had some fans worried that the team wouldn’t be ready when the season began, but after three straight victories they have shown no cracks.
“We handpicked all our players from other clubs because we knew what they were all about. The girls have welcomed every new player we brought in which has made for a productive opening to the season. The group we have is fantastic.”
The Vixens take on Leeds Ladies at Nethermoor Park on 18th September with kick off being at 2pm. Entry is £3 for Adults and £1 for Concessions. Free entry for GAFC Season Ticket holders.
