FA Women's Premier League returns for a New Year

Friday 02 Jan 2015
The FA WPL returns on Sunday 4 January
The FA WPL returns on Sunday for the first round of fixtures in 2015.

Coventry City, who lead the Northern Division, will be looking to consolidate their advantage when they travel to third-placed Bradford City.

Derby County will aim to move away from the bottom when they host Stoke City, to whom they lost 2-1 when the pair last met in November.

Northern Division

Bradford City v Coventry City
Derby County v Stoke City
Huddersfield Town v Blackburn Rovers
Preston North End v Newcastle United
Sheffield Ladies v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Huddersfield Town, who ended the year on a high with an 11-0 County Cup victory against Hemsworth Miners Welfare, host fourth-placed Blackburn Rovers and will hope for a repeat of the 3-2 victory against Rovers on the opening day of the season.

Elsewhere in the Northern Division, ninth-placed Newcastle host Preston North End, while Sheffield Ladies welcome bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers – who will be desperate to avoid a repeat of the 8-1 drubbing the last time the two sides met.

In the final game of the Northern Division, Sporting Club Albion host Nottingham Forest.

In the Southern Division, league leaders Brighton & Hove Albion take on seventh-placed Lewes.

Southern Division

Cardiff City v Plymouth Argyle
Charlton Athletic v Copsewood (Coventry)
Gillingham v Portsmouth
Keynsham Town v West Ham United
Lewes v Brighton

Hot on their heels are Cardiff City, who will be looking to leapfrog the south coast outfit should they falter with a victory at home against Plymouth Argyle.

Charlton Athletic, who slipped to third after a 3-3 draw against West Ham in their last outing, will want to regain momentum when they host Copsewood (Coventry).

Portsmouth Ladies, who in fourth place and with games in hand, will feel they are still in the driving seat for the title. They start the New Year away to Gillingham.

In the final game of the Southern Division, Tottenham Hotspur will want a repeat performance of the 3-1 victory against Queen Park Rangers, whom they welcome to Ware FC.

All fixtures kick-off at 2pm on Sunday 4 January.

By Jamie Reid Senior Writer