Witton Albion Women v. Altrincham Women(CWYFL Challenge Cup Final)

The climax of a wonderful season for Witton Albion Women’s team comes on Sunday afternoon when they take on Premier Division Altrincham Women in the Women’s Youth Football League Challenge Cup Final.

The first season for the management team of Dean Meadows, Mike Smith & Paul Done and not forgetting physio Harriet Walton-Garstang, who has kept the team in the best physical shape possible has probably gone far better than they could have expected.

A year ago, this team wasn’t even playing at a competitive level but the staff have assembled a team of players of different abilities and ages and moulded them into a very good footballing team.

Their first season has seen them go through the league campaign dropping only two points from fourteen games but scoring an incredible 82 goals in the process, whilst conceding six.

Their run in the league challenge cup has seen them overcome two Premier Division teams in Newton Le Willows Ladies and AFC Crewe Women respectively, the latter finished runners up to Champions Nantwich Town.

Whilst this has been a complete squad effort, a lot of the headlines have been about strikers Aimee Gibson and Jennifer Thompson, who have netted an incredible 51 goals between them.

Promotion to the Premier Division is ahead of them for next season but, they have already shown that they can compete with the best and in a one-off game anything is possible.

In reaching the final, Altrincham Women have had to overcome Stockport County, Winsford Town, Congleton Town and Premier Division Champions Nantwich Town in the semi final.

The task facing Witton is a tough one but it’s not beyond them to pull off another fantastic result and turn an excellent season into a magnificent one.

A special mention must go to the families and supporters who have embraced this adventure and given the team their full backing.

Should the game be drawn after normal time, penalties will decide who the cup winners are to be.

Kick off at the Swansway Stadium is 3pm.

NANTWICH TOWN FC,
THE SWANSWAY STADIUM,
WATERLODE,
NANTWICH,
CHESHIRE,
CW5 5BS.

Directions: From Mid Cheshire(Middlewich): If coming Southbound on the A530 from Middlewich, you will reach the Alvaston roundabout on the outskirts of Nantwich. Take the 2nd exit signposted Nantwich Town Centre. Head straight on at the next roundabout and after 0.5 miles, you will reach a t-junction. Turn left at the junction and after another 0.3 miles, you will reach another set of lights. Turn right at the lights and follow that road through the town centre. You will reach another set of traffic lights. Turn right there and you will see the stadium ahead of you on the right. (Total Distance - 16.6 miles).

Parking: There are a limited number of car parking spaces at the ground. You are advised to arrive early as these can go quickly, especially for the more popular games. There is also a nearby long stay car park at the local swimming baths and it is advisable to park there should there be no space at the ground. It costs £2.10 for 2-4 hours and £2.90 for up to 10 hours, so offers a cheap and well located place to leave your car, with the ground and the town centre in easy walking distance. For evening games, this car park will be free from 6pm.

Admission Prices: Adults: £5, Concessions & Under 16’s: £2.

Social Club: The Social Club is on the front of the stadium - The bar is open from around 12.30pm.

Please note: Alcohol is permitted inside the stadium but MUST be in a plastic beaker.

Refreshments: Food, Hot and cold drinks & snacks are available from the Tea Bar within the main stand.

Toilet Facilities: There are toilet facilities including wheelchair accessible facilities located within the stadium and also inside the main building.

Additional Information: Full match commentary will be available on https://www.radio-witton.mixlr.com from around 2.45pm with Iain Wright and Andy Nelson.

Following the game Alex Trainor will be conducting an interview with Witton Albion Women Team Manager Dean Meadows.

The interview will be on WhatsApp but I’ll try and post it on here.

Witton Albion Women Squad:

1 Tracy Bolton, 2 Mya Greatrex, 3 Jamelia Manley-Tomlinson, 4 Emma Bibby-Cheshire, 5 Lauren Quigg, 6 Brya-Rae Landon, 7 Natalie Chapman, 8 Cara Batty, 9 Jennifer Thompson, 14 Aimee Gibson, 11 Michaela Thompson, 10 Autumn Mugridge, 18 Zoe Palin, 17 Kathryn Hulme, 15 Emily Fallon, 16 Vanessa Bagley, 19 Ellie Wadsworth.

Witton Albion Women team news & latest score updates will appear here as and when they become available.

Witton Albion Women team:

Tracy Bolton, Mya Greatrex, Jamelia Manley-Tomlinson, Emma Bibby-Cheshire, Lauren Quigg, Brya-Rae Landon, Natalie Chapman, Cara Batty, Jennifer Thompson, Aimee Gibson, Michaela Thompson.

Subs: Autumn Mugridge, Zoe Palin, Kathryn Hulme, Emily Fallon, Vanessa Bagley, Ellie Wadsworth.

GOALLLLL

Latest Score from The Swansway Stadium:

Witton Albion Women 1 Altrincham Women 0.

Jennifer Thompson gives Witton the lead on 25 seconds - what a great start.

GOAL

Latest Score from The Swansway Stadium:

Witton Albion Women 1 Altrincham Women 1.

Kira Saycell equalises for Altrincham on 8 minutes.

GOALLLLL

Latest Score from The Swansway Stadium:

Witton Albion Women 2 Altrincham Women 1.

Jennifer Thompson restores the Albion’s lead on 12 minutes.

GOAL

Latest Score from The Swansway Stadium:

Witton Albion Women 2 Altrincham Women 2.

Elise Jones equalises again for Altrincham on 14 minutes as Albion keeper Tracy Bolton’s clearance hits the Altrincham striker and goes into the Albion net.

Albion go close on 21 minutes following a corner Cara Batty’s header is tipped over the crossbar by the Altrincham keeper Ariella Shapiro.

Great chance for the Albion on 28 minutes but Aimee Gibson fires over the crossbar.

Michaela Thompson’s long ball on 30 minutes finds Jennifer Thompson but she drags the shot wide of the post.

A stoppage in play due to an injury to Albion defender Lauren Quigg.

Latest Score from The Swansway Stadium:

Witton Albion Women 2 Altrincham Women 2.

38 minutes played.

Half Time Score from The Swansway Stadium:

Witton Albion Women 2 Altrincham Women 2.

A frenetic first half with chances at either end.

Nearly nine minutes added on.

Yellow card:

Witton’s Cara Batty on 48 minutes.

Chance for the Albion on 51 minutes but Aimee Gibson fires just wide.

Albion keeper Tracy Bolton denies Altrincham striker Kira Saycell on 55 minutes with a brilliant save.

Zoe Palin on as a substitute for Witton Albion Women.

Drinks break on 65 minutes.

Emily Fallon, Autumn Mugridge & Kathryn Hulme on as substitutes for Witton Albion Women.