#AUWFC return to league action after the festive break with a short trip down the A34 to Donnington Recreation Ground to take on Newbury Ladies. Here's what you need to know ahead of the fixture.

The Opposition
Newbury Ladies are one of the oldest teams in the SRWFL with a good consistent record in the league. Spending 2008-2011 in the first division mainly finishing mid table before the reformatting of division one in 2011-12. They won promotion to premier division after winning the first division in 2014 after the division had reformatted again to one division. They have held firm in the premier division since. Newbury had a positive start to 2019-20 which saw them top the table for a period of time after some impressive results. Though their form has dipped slightly as they now search for their first win since the end of October. United will need to be wary of their attacking threats in Gabriely Tavares da Silva (8 in 12), Tracey Beales (6 in 9) and Rachel Allwright (5 in 8).

Previous Meetings
The last and only meeting between the two sides was last month when an early Beth Hawtin hattrick started off a 7-0 win at the Northcourt with Heather Young, Kiera Isaac (2) and Lauren May also getting in on the act.

Squad Update
The break will have helped the small niggles however the Yellows will be without Suzie Maton and Katie Totton through injury and illness, Sadie Timbs is unavailable and Rosie McCabe has started her travels and will return in April.

The Gaffer
"Happy New Year to all. Hope you all enjoyed the festive break with friends and family. I know the squad did. We returned to training this week and the players seemed to get back into it really well, we didn't have everyone back as some were still carrying out their festive plans which is fine but those who were able to attend will be rewarded with a likely starting place on Sunday

"Last time against Newbury, I thought we were very good the scoreline did not reflect on Newbury at all, more on how well we played. There has been a break in games but the win over City before Christmas will give the squad a lot of confidence going into this fixture. It should be a well contested ground on a pitch I'm told isn't too bad. We are without Suzie Maton who picked up a metatarsal injury during the break and Tottie has not been feeling well this week which is a shame as it would have been ideal to have the squad fully fit heading into this run of fixtures..

"Obviously I want to continue the good work achieved by Thorps so have not come in launching a load of mass changes just some small tweaks to suit my style, the management team (including Sahara) held a meeting on Thursday to discuss our expectations and roles for the rest of the season and I'm looking forward to the next seven games in a row - hopefully - and then we will charge on to achieve the most we can out of this season. I would really encourage the continued fantastic support we see week in week out".

Elsewhere a tie of particular interest will be down south as Moneyfields travel to AFC Bournemouth, a win for the visitors could keep them within a point of Abingdon if United win and overtake if the Newbury result is a loss or draw. Oxford City also have an opportunity to climb the table as they host Ascot United. A team in a relatively false position in the table, Wycombe Wanderers, welcome Warsash whereas Winchester host Woodley. In fact, the only team who cannot change position on Sunday is AFC Bournemouth at the top.

United kick off at Donnington Recreation Ground at 2pm, would be great to see as much support as possible.