Match Preview | Leafield Athletic Vs WCWFC
It’s the opening day of the FA Women’s National League season as City travel to the Castle Vale Stadium to take on a new look Leafield Athletic side
Photo by Maisie Tay Photography
It’s the day that everybody connected to Worcester City Women has been waiting for…..the start of the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands season. It has been just over three months since City’s last competitive match which was the 7-1 win away at Lincoln United to secure an unprecedented 5th place finish for Matt Jones’ side.
Fans may get the opportunity to see new signings Lowri Walker, Olivia Stubbs, Karly Norman, and Maja Szymkowiak get their first taste of competitive football for Worcester City Women.
Photo by Maisie Tay Photography
Leafield Athletic
Leafield Athletic play their home games at Castle Vale Stadium in Birmingham and are now managed by Mollie Jowett who replaced former manager, Tasha Tezgel back in June.
Since the COVID pandemic, they have made strides in establishing themselves as an FA Women’s National League club by finishing in 9th position in three consecutive seasons, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024.
In the 2024/2025 season , Leafield finished 4th in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands.
Last season, Leafield Athletic recorded their highest league position yet as they secured a 3rd place finish, ending the season on 54 points and only just missed out on a play-off spot by being beaten 3-1 away at 2nd place Boldmere St Michaels on the final day.
Photo by Maisie Tay Photography
Previous meetings
In their first meeting of the season at Sixways back in August 2025 both sides played out a close encounter, in which City were desperately unlucky not to come away with anything. An 18th-minute strike from Gemma Fraser was enough to see Leafield earn the three points.
In November the two sides met in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Second Round Proper at the Castle Vale Stadium, where it was another close affair.
Former striker, Maia Clark gave City the lead in the 8th minute, after holding up a superb Jodie Whiteman pass and showed great strength and power to shrug off the defenders and bury a brilliant strike past the goalkeeper.
Leafield pushed and got back into the tie just after the hour mark, thanks to Chloe Shirley’s effort that forced the tie into extra time, where the scores remained level to ensure the tie ended in a lottery of a penalty shootout, which City unfortunately were beaten 4-3 to go out of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
They met again for the third time in February, but despite goals from Clark and Kaye Haggett, City succumbed to a 7-2 defeat at the Castle Vale Stadium.
Get To Know New Signing Karly Norman
Age: 20
Positions: Centre Back, Full Back
What made you want to join WCWFC?
The club had a lot of ambition to grow and progress women’s football. It’s also a new league and club for me, so it will be a new challenge.
Favourite achievement within football so far?
Representing England University’s football team.
What are you most excited for ahead of the 2026/2027 season?
I’m excited to get to know everyone and work hard to build momentum in the league.
Photo by Maisie Tay Photography
Match Information
Worcester City Women travel to the Castle Vale Stadium to take on Leafield Athletic in the opening game of the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands season on Sunday, 16th August with a kick-off of 2pm.
Thank you for all your incredible support. Up the City!!
