FA Women’s National League title chasers at mid-season break

23rd December 2023 Wilf Frith
FA Women's National League, Newcastle United v Burnley
Newcastle United were held 0-0 at home by main title rivals Burnley in October. (Photo: Colin Lock)

With the FA Women’s National League now on a festive break until Sunday 7 January, we take a look at who the various title challengers are.

Newcastle United and Burnley are both unbeaten in the Northern Premier Division, the Magpies having only dropped two points and just added former Durham and Sunderland attacker Nicki Gears, the Clarets have drawn twice but face a tough start to 2024 away to fourth-placed Wolves. Defending champions Nottingham Forest are in third position, while Huddersfield Town and AFC Fylde are adrift in the drop zone with only three points each.

Hashtag United hold the Southern Premier Division leadership by three points from Portsmouth but Pompey have two games in hand and have won all but one game, with an impressive 44 goals and just two conceded. Ipswich Town are fourth but also have played two games fewer than Rugby Borough in third. Chatham Town and London Bees are in the relegation places, the former with four points from as many draws, the latter with a single points from a possible 30.

Loughborough Lightning occupy the promotion position but under pressure from Peterborough United, the Posh trail by four points but have a game in hand. Boldmere St Michaels are level on points with Peterborough, followed by Northampton Town but Sporting Khalsa can overtake both with their own games in hand. Leafield Athletic are three points from safety and Sheffield FC bottom with no victory but four draws.

Barnsley WFC have won eight of their nine games to date, to lead Division 1 North by three points from Hull City. Middlesbrough and Stockport County are not far behind, Leeds United have games in hand but have already been beaten three times. Chester le Street Town and FC United of Manchester are the bottom two sides, the former with two games in hand on Norton & Stockton Ancients – the side immediately above them.

Only goal-difference separates Division 1 South East leaders AFC Wimbledon from nearest challengers Norwich City with half their fixtures played, the Canaries without defeat thus far and 2-0 winners at home to the Dons. Worthing are five points behind the leading pair, QPR a further point back. Haywards Heath Town are bottom of the table, Cambridge City also in the relegation zone but level on points with both AFC Sudbury and Chesham United.

First and second in Division 1 South West are also level on points, with AFC Bournemouth and Exeter City boasting nine straight wins each. Swindon Town, Moneyfields and Abingdon United are the chasing park, while Torquay United and Selsey are the last two sides, the latter suffering ten defeats in a row.

West Ham Women sign USA international Kristie Mewis

Upcoming Events

View Calendar

Would you like to read more women’s football news just like this? Sign up to receive the She Kicks Women’s Football newsletter

Related Articles