The Derbyshire Girls and Ladies League (DGLL) have provided an update on fixtures in the u12 age group, as well as publishing the draw for the Challenge Cup.

League Season Extension (if needed)
Following meetings between the DGLL, DJFL, DCFA and the City Council and the contractors involved in the proposed 3G development at the Racecourse, barring any unforeseen circumstances the DGLL will be able to continue its 9v9 schedule past the March 25th cut off date originally determined and will have 6 pitches available away from any building works.

League Structure
Some of you may have noticed that the u12 Divisions have changed names recently to Autumn U12.

The original consitution of divisions was based on last season’s form and information provided to the League on player ability. However this isn’t an exact science and it is clear that some teams are struggling in Division 1, and vice-versa in Div 2, some teams are excelling. This coincided with the teams moving out of the development phase into competitive football and the move to 9v9 from 7v7

In order to enable further player development, the DGLL has decided that the Autumn fixture programme will conclude after the first round of fixtures (currently scheduled to be early November) and will realign the Divisions for a Winter League comprising 9 teams in each division based on this season’s form.

Currently the Div 1 teams (Autumn) will finish in mid-November and the Div 2 teams (Autumn ) will finish in early november - the League will schedule the Challenge Cup fixtures, the draw for which has been made, for dates in November & early December.

Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup draw is detailed below together with the dates - Pride Park Bobcats will face Burton Albion on 19th November;

Preliminary Round
Coalville v Belper Sports [26 Nov]
Outwoods v Duffield [12 Nov]

1st Round (Round of 16)
A Allenton v Swadlincote [26 Nov]
B Wirksworth v Carr Vale [3 Dec]
C Out/Duff v Woodlands [19 Nov]
D Stretton Black v Sleetmoor [12 Nov]
E Melbourne v Stretton Green [19 Nov]
F Chellaston v Hilton [19 Nov]
G Coal/Belper v Stanton [3 Dec]
H Pride Park v Burton Albion [19 Nov]

QUARTER FINALS - dates TBC
1 D v B
2 H v G
3 A v F
4 E v C

SEMI-FINALS - dates TBC
1v2
4v3

These fixtures now appear in GotFootball and the league schedule will be populated shortly around those fixtures and the remaining Autumn schedule, to take us through to a conclusion in April/May with the Challenge Cup Final.

In the event that there are 2 separate winners of the Autumn & Winter Schedules there will be winners trophies for both and, time permitting, a “Champions League” Final will be played.