UPDATE: Game cancelled due to frozen pitch
This weekend Guiseley Vixens play their first home game of 2017 as they welcome Chorley to Nethermoor Park.
As the league stands Chorley are four points ahead of Guiseley and sit top of the Premier League Division One North. The Vixens are second but do however have four games in hand over their rivals.
Vixens’ manager Glen Preston said: “Chorley are currently occupying the top spot in the league so that tells us everything we need to know and whilst we have the four games in hand, points on the board is what every coach will tell you is the most important thing.
“It’s a massive game for both clubs and one that I think Chorley will look at and say they have to win. I think if they lose this game they’re going to need teams around them to drop points in three to four matches with no margin for error themselves which is a massive ask. So the pressure is on for both sides this weekend.”
When the sides last met The Vixens ran out 4-1 winners.
Preston added: “We’re always up for games like this and occasions like this are what we live for. It’s high pressure but the good kind of pressure. Chorley are a hard working, good footballing side and like ourselves they like to get it down and knock it about, so it will make for an entertaining game.
“We won the last game and that might give us an edge because we played well and restricted Chorley to only one shot on goal that day (which they scored from) but at the same time they will be out to prove a point and they will look at this as a game they have to win, so we expect them to be throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at us.”
After almost two months off it will be important for The Vixens to get the momentum flowing again and Preston said: “We just need a run of games now to be honest as fixtures have been messy this season. At one point we played five games in two weeks but then we go two months without a game which is crazy. It’s been hard for the players to get into a rhythm and it’s been frustrating, so for us we just want games to come thick and fast.
“Being at home always helps with any game. Our record at home has been impressive and we hope that remains for the next two games.”
Chorley come into the game having only lost one game in their last nine but The Vixens are still unbeaten in the league this season.
Preston continued: “It important to keep an eye on what all teams are doing and it’s never a surprise to see Chorley doing well. I think they’ve finished top four in this league four to five years running so it’s what we’ve come to expect of them.
“As good as their form is I’m sure they will have been disappointed to drop points in three games recently which might dent their title challenge but for us we just have to get our own process right and if we do I 100 per cent believe that we are the team to beat in this league.”
The Vixens may well give debuts to Maria Sangra, a player who has been at Barcelona Ladies, along with Josie Hewson and Hannah Poulter, who joined over the Christmas period.
The game will kick-off this Sunday at 2pm at Nethermoor Park and entry is £3, £1 Concessions and free to Guiseley season ticket holders.
Words Oliver Coultas
Photo: Alex Daniel
