Dale’s early evening visit to Braintree Town on Saturday will be refereed by a new face in ABIGAIL BYRNE.

The Mildenhall-based official will become the second female to referee a Dale match following Rebecca Welch at home to Colchester in August 2021, although Mrs Byrne has significantly more experience in the men’s game.

A FIFA Woman Referee, Abigail regularly takes charge of games in the WSL, as well as International and European women’s matches, and has refereed the Women’s FA Cup Final at Wembley and officiated at many other top grounds.

Her first National League appointment was Tamworth v Sutton at the start of last season, while her EFL debut was AFC Wimbledon v Swindon.

This term Abigail has been more active in men’s football, primarily in League One and League Two and most recently at Bromley v Shrewsbury just over a week ago.

She has refereed four times in the National League this term, with Southend v Yeovil at the end of March being her last outing in this division.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters