At the midway point of the campaign, it is Blackburn Rovers and Coventry United who occupy the FAWNL promotion places to the FA Women’s Championship but who might challenge them before the season is out?
Rovers are on course for a third successive Northern Premier title, having won their first ten fixtures and have games in hand on nearest rivals Huddersfield Town and Sunderland.
All but the leaders have lost at least twice, Blackburn’s neighbours Fylde have suffered two defeats and they sit ten points behind Rovers, in-between Stoke City and Derby County. Gemma Donnelly’s side face the Terriers, Black Cats and Fylde all in the first six weeks of the new year.
At the wrong end of the table, Bradford City are without a point and nine points from safety, while Doncaster Rovers Belles and Sheffield FC are either side of the dotted line and separated only by goal-difference.
Coventry United’s position at the top of the Southern Premier is more under threat, despite them having only dropped two points to date. They hold just a single point lead over Chichester City – who have played a game more – but are seven points ahead of Watford. United host City in February and visit the Hornets in March.
QPR and C&K Basildon occupy the drop zone places and both are still battling to record a first win.
West Brom and Wolves were both relegated at the end of last season but it is they who are the leading pair in the race for the Midlands Division 1 title. The Baggies have won all their games, while Wanderers only dropped points in a 2-1 defeat at third-placed newcomers Bedworth United. The top two meet at the end of January and are set for a possible title showdown at Wolverhampton in May.
Steel City Wanderers are in danger of filling the one relegation place with only one point to their name, but Solihull Moors are in their sights while only two points better off.
Burnley’s Division 1 North debut campaign sees them in quite a strong position at the top of the table, with a five-point advantage over Brighouse Town – from a game less – who were runners-up last term. Chester le Street are in the best position to mount a challenge and Leeds United are sixth but only three points further back.
Morecambe and particularly Crewe Alexandra are in grave danger at the bottom, the latter are still to get off the mark and the Lancashire side have just one victory compared to at least four for everyone above them.
Debutants Crawley Wasps have taken South East Division 1 by storm with nine straight wins and fellow newcomers Billericay Town look their only real threat at present. The pair meet in Sussex on 31st March. AFC Wimbledon are third – on goal-difference from Leyton Orient – after finishing second last time round.
Luton Town and Denham United have a survival battle on their hands in 12th and 11th place respectively.
The South West Division 1 championship is principally between Southampton WFC and Keynsham Town. The former strikingly beat the latter 3-0 away from home in the last game before Christmas to go top by three points but the Somerset side have played one game less and go to the leaders in March. Cheltenham Town are not far off the pace in third spot, while Buckland Athletic – in their first season at this level – have games in hand with which to catch them.
Maidenhead United are the one side without a win and in the sole relegation position but with games in hand on Swindon Town.
