By Matthew Sweeting
The Vixens return to Premier North Division action on Wednesday after an unexpected break, following the postponement of their clash with Blackburn at the weekend. Middlesbrough head to West Yorkshire full of confidence, six points clear at the top of the league having only lost two of their first 11 games.
However, Guiseley enter the game still without a win in nine league attempts, collecting just three points. Vixens boss Glenn Preston believes that despite recent results, they could still turn this season around. Speaking after the 3-1 defeat to West Bromwich, Glenn said: “We’ll pick ourselves up and go again”.
Middlesbrough could give a first start to new signing Tyler Dodds, who joined the Teesside club last week in order to add experience to what is a very young side. Speaking after signing for Boro, Tyler said, “I think it’s important we go about our own business, and approach each game with a winning mentality.”
Manager Lindsay Stephenson will be hoping to see a dominant performance from her Boro side for the full 90 minutes, after almost conceding their 3-0 first half lead against Bradford last time out, eventually winning narrowly 3-2.
The West Yorkshire side will be glad to be returning to Nethermoor Park, as they’ve failed to pick up a single point on their travels this season. Nevertheless, Middlesbrough have scored 9 goals in their last two games away from home, giving Guiseley little room to be hopeful.
The last meeting between the two sides was in March of 2015, the last time Guiseley were in Division One and Boro ran out 3-1 winners that day.