There are at least eight promotion places available to the FAWPL at the end of this season, maybe more with the competition currently two teams short, so we take a look across the Regional Leagues whilst they are on the festive break.
Haringey Borough hold the Eastern top spot on goal-difference from Bedford but the North London side have a number of games in hand on their closest rivals. Norfolk-based Acle United may be best placed to pursue them but will require a run of victories to fire them up from seventh.
Pictured – Haringey Borough
Mansfield Town have the points in the bag at the top of the East Midlands League but have half the division chasing them, with Sheffield United, Bedworth United, Peterborough Northern Star and Nettleham all presently having enough games in hand with which to overtake them.
In the London & South East Premier, Crawley Wasps lead from Carshalton Athletic but the pair are in danger of being surpassed by the trio beneath them. Leyton Orient are the main threat with eight straight wins, while London Corinthians and Watford Development are just behind the O’s.
High-scoring Barnsley just missed out on honours in the North East last term and although they are in pole position now, Norton & Stockton Ancients are in a strong position as they battle to swiftly win back their FAWPL status. Wallsend Boys Club Ladies are also looking good in fourth spot.
The North West championship race is dominated by sides from Lancashire, with Bolton Wanderers foremost of those. Unbeaten in 14 games, they have a seven-point advantage over a much-improved Blackpool, while Wigan Athletic and Burnley are close behind the Seasiders.
Pictured – Marine Academy Plymouth
Marine Academy Plymouth were three points away from becoming South West champions last season and although they lead going into the new year, it is only by goal-difference over Somerset’s Bishop Lydeard. Yeovil Town’s ‘A’ team will likely have a big say as the campaign progresses, as they have also won all but one of their matches.
Oxford City and Marlow sit first and second respectively in the Southern League but with only 9 teams in the top flight, losses already suffered by them could prove costly. Southampton Women look menacing in third, having won all their games and even dumped Premier League Swindon Town out of The SSE WFA Cup recently.
Pictured – Burton Albion
Burton Albion are quite clearly the form side in the West Midlands, eight wins from nine sees them just a couple of points behind leaders Kingshurst Sporting Club from four games fewer. They are on quite an extended run, having only come up from Division 1 North this season, in which they were runners-up the year before.
Pictured top – Barnsley FC Ladies.
