Local derbies always have a bit of spice – and it’ll be no different when Actonians travel to face Fulham in the FA Women’s National League Division One South-East on Sunday, says defender Lois Colley.
“You want to win your 1v1s a little bit more than usual,” she tells SheKicks.net – although she’s also quick to add that there’ll be no needle or malice involved, saying, “They’re lovely girls!”
Fulham – who were promoted from tier five last season and are currently unbeaten at the top of the table – will no doubt be a tough challenge, but Colley says there will be no pressure on Actonians.
“Games like this are exactly why we play football,” she says.
“It’s nothing but positivity for us tomorrow. We know we can beat any team in the league if we show up, but we’ve got to believe in ourselves.”
The contrast will be vast. Fulham are part of a men’s Premier League club; Actonians operate independently and are beholden to nobody, which has its advantages as well as its down sides.
“Obviously money is amazing and Fulham are showing the direction of women’s football – but Actonians is a beautiful community club,” says Colley. “No one is there for the money; everyone is there because they enjoy themselves and they want to show up and get better as players. I love being the underdogs. We’re really excited to show who we are as a club.”
Lois Colley: We’re ambitious but realistic
Actonians finished 2025 in fine form, with their last defeat coming in October, but Colley refuses to contemplate the idea that the winter break came at the wrong time for them as they look above them in the table and realise they have a real chance to make the top three.
“I’d rather end on high momentum than go downhill then have a break!” she says.
In fact, October saw two painful defeats as they exited the FAWNL Cup in the first round at the hands of Swindon, and then the Women’s FA Cup in the first round to Watford – two tough draws at such early stages.
“We were gutted at the big teams we drew in cup games – we were unlucky to get them,” admits Colley – but she can also see the positives, describing every day as a “classroom”.
“Playing Watford was an amazing experience about where we could be as players and a club,” she says of the tier three team, adding that with no cup distractions Actonians can now focus solely on the league and their upcoming opponents.
They are currently sixth in the league, two points behind west London neighbours QPR, who have played a game more. Chatham Town are in fourth place, equal on points with QPR. Resuming a winning run would rocket Actonians up the table.
“We can definitely finish in the top four – it’s keeping that togetherness and belief in each other,” says Colley.
“We’re ambitious but realistic. Holding each other accountable is really important. If we are together and stay strong in our beliefs and our attitudes don’t change, we’re more than capable of finishing top four.”
