In front of supporters who braved the cold and falling snow, Wanderers started 2026 in demanding conditions, with freezing temperatures making for a challenging afternoon. Despite the weather, the hosts fought hard to claim all three points in a 1-0 win against third‑place West Didsbury & Chorlton.
Further strengthening his team, Tom Cunniff has made another addition to the side over the festive break, Flo Rigby. After spending the summer stateside, Flo Rigby has re‑signed for Wanderers, returning to the club where she made a big impression last season.
The starting XI featured three changes from the previous outing, including Kayleigh McDonald making her first start for Wanderers, with returning signing Flo Rigby named among the substitutes.
The hosts started positively and carved out an early opportunity in the 14th minute. A flowing move saw Sienna Limbert slip a pass through to Poppy Wallis, who found Ella Tweedle in the area. Ella turned sharply, but the West Didsbury goalkeeper reacted quickly to smother the danger.
Wanderers continued to press and went close again midway through the half when Abbie Brown fired narrowly wide of the post on 27 minutes. The visitors remained compact, limiting clear chances as the game headed into the break goalless.
One of the only chances from the visitors was on the 35th minute, Edmondson taking her chance, but was calmly denied by Annabelle White.
Early in the second half, Wanderers nearly broke the deadlock. Brown cleverly deceived the keeper on 47 minutes, turning well before firing over the bar from a tight angle. Moments later, a pinpoint ball from Millie Smith picked out Tweedle once more, but she was unable to turn quickly enough to convert.
Just after the hour, Flo Rigby was introduced to the action, making her first appearance of the season as she replaced Sienna Limbert.
The breakthrough arrived on 61 minutes. Brown played a perfectly weighted through ball into Ella Tweedle, who showed composure to finish clinically and put Wanderers ahead.
West Didsbury looked to respond, introducing fresh legs as Becca Simpson replaced Edmondson shortly after the goal, followed by further changes as Emily Howarth came on for Bancroft and Abbie Wright replaced Olthof as the visitors searched for an equaliser.
Despite the pressure, Annabelle White remained assured in goal for Wanderers, handling an effort comfortably on 68 minutes before watching a free-kick Chloe Henderson drift just wide on 71 minutes.
As the game entered its final stages, Wanderers stayed on the front foot, with Emmanuella Cambell coming on in the 70th minute and Madi Hardman coming on in the 81st minute to add fresh energy and showing that the hosts had no intention of easing off.
On 82 minutes, Dickin produced a strong save to keep the scoreline at 1–0, denying Wanderers a second goal from Abbie Brown.
Wanderers continued to pressure the Didsbury keeper, Madi Hardman unleashed a powerful strike from just outside the box on 89 minutes, forcing another stop from the keeper before Hardman was shown a booking deep into stoppage time.
In the final moments, Millie Smith delivered an excellent ball into Emmanuella Cambell, whose effort clipped just wide in the 94th minute, narrowly missing the chance to seal the result.
After five minutes of added time, the full-time whistle confirmed a 1–0 victory for Wanderers, who despite the conditions dug deep and battled through to secure the points.
Wanderers will travel to FC United next weekend for their rescheduled fixture.
Wanderers: White, Clark, Smith, McDonald, Dale, Walsh ©, Wallis, Tweedle, Brown , Plano, Limbert
Subs: Rigby, Wilkinson, Tyers, Cambell, Hardman
West Didsbury and Chorlton: Dickin, Ritchie, Sones Devally, Mason, Bracegirdle, Ainscow, Edmonson ©, Olthof, Henderson, Bushell, Bancroft
Subs: Simpson, Wright, Howarth
Report by Katherine Byrne. Pictures by Jake Horrocks.