A third successive season in the FA Women's National League is upon us, and The Yellows begin a schedule of five warmup games for the 2025/26 season, beginning with Oxford City on Sunday.

The Hoops finished 4th in the Southern Region Women's Football League Premier last time out, with 34 points from 18 games. They also won the Oxfordshire FA Women's Cup, in a 4-0 win over Kidlington Youth.

Last time an Abingdon United side face Sunday's hosts was as recent as May, as United Development won the Chairman's Cup in style at Beaconsfield Town. A brace from Charlotte Bigmore and a stunning strike from Mimi Hodges saw Jon Ward and Paul Biddle's side over the line, to lift the trophy in Buckinghamshire.

Yasmin Edwards was the scorer on the day for City, who began their pre-season schedule last week against Oxford United with a 5-0 defeat, in a good test against Tier Three opposition.

Sunday's pre-season fixture will kickoff at 11am, at The MGroup Stadium.

Pre-Match Thoughts | Chris Smith and Kara Howes

United Manager Chris Smith is delighted to see his team come back together for pre-season, with training already underway.

He said: "It seems like a long time coming, but as a team/club, it’s probably the most organised we’ve been for a few years so it’s definitely added excitement to the upcoming season.

"To see the players returning and come together again is great, hopefully it can now match all the hard work in the off-season to give them the best chance of matching our goals."

Versatile defensive player Kara Howes is one of many who have committed to the 2025/26 campaign.

Howes is excited to get back into the action with her teammates on Sunday morning.

She said "It’s great to be back at football and to see the girls.

"It’ll be good to get the momentum going again and to carry on where we left off."