THERE was a limited and re-arranged local women’s football programme due to the County Cup.

Bradford (Park Avenue) travelled down to Brighouse Sports for an eagerly-awaited local derby in the West Riding County League, Premier Division.

Sports’ player-of-the-match Leanne Webster was tireless throughout the match, and there was goal from Leanne Smith. But Bradford re-gained their form to take the points. Kerry Brannan put away an hat-trick, and Emily McNulty scored on her first appearance this season for the 4–1 victory.

Bradford don’t have a game at the weekend due to Leeds Modernians’ involvement in the FA Cup at Birtley, but return to Horsfall for a League game against Harrogate Railway, followed by a League Cup tie against Leeds Medics and Dentists and an away fixture at Thackley. On November 19th, Avenue are back at Horsfall for a West Riding County Cup tie against Women’s Beginners’ League Development side Methley United, rounding off next month with the return fixture against Brighouse Sports.

Thackley were at Station View for the first of back-to-back games against Harrogate Railway.

Thackley gave everything to the end, with a fantastic performance at the back from player-of-the-match Chelsea Morton and a début goal from Lucy Turner. But even though Railway were not at their best, Paige Swales’ 30-yarder and an Elisa Hodson tap-in gave the hosts the points.

Ilkley Town hosted Farsley Celtic in an entertaining game in the Preliminary Round of the West Riding County Cup.

The Celts’ Shirley Murphy put them 1–0 in front at half time. However, Ilkley took their chances in a close, competitive County Cup fixture, to score through Millie Washington, Millie Dawson and Taylor Orchard.

In the Second Round, Ilkley are at home to Eccleshill United, Silsden host Regional Premier Division side Bradford City and Skipton are at Sherburn.

Other ties (selected): Brighouse Sports v. Leeds City; Field v. Knaresborough; Halifax v. Wakefield; Harrogate Railway v. Athletico; Leeds United v. Ripon; Lower Hopton v. Queensbury Celtic; Sherburn White Rose v. Skipton and Thackley v. Leeds Modernians

In County Third, Tyersal were expecting a tough game against Kinsley. They played some good football, hitting the woodwork many times, with a sterling performance from Stacie Baylis and Becca Ogden as part of a solid defence. Goalscorers were Abbie Tate and skipper Lauren Burnett in the 2–1 win, their first of the season.

Field were up against in-form Lower Hopton Development. With both teams maintaining 100% records so far, Field knew that this would be another tight game.

The first half started off slow and scrappy, but on 35’, winger Anna Mitchell, player-of-the-match, poked home an Ami Nolan corner.

But in the second half the visitors brought the score level, as Field lost possession in the middle of the park, for Hopton’s attack to capitalise. Not long after, Field regained the lead, after some skilful and tenacious play on the left wing from Mitchell, who switched the ball into the box for Meg Schofield to swivel and place the ball home. The hosts were pulled back again as Hopton made it 2-2 at the end.

Bradford United faced a challenging day at Huddersfield Amateur Reserves, as they were 6–0 down at half time. In the end, despite the initial drop in energy and spirits, Zahra Batool managed to bag a hat-trick in the 10–3 loss.

In County Second, Athletico put in a dominant performance from the first whistle at Boroughbridge, with an own goal and one from Sadyha Akhtar giving a 2–0 half-time lead. The 5–1 win, featuring 90 minutes of pure class, saw further goals from Rimshah Amin, Hafza Khan and Jeevan Jawanda.

Queensbury Celtic’s ’keeper Leah Jones played well, and there were goals for Emily Uttley and Orla Durkin, in an entertaining and committed game from both teams, Queensbury pushing all the way to the final whistle, but it was a 5–2 loss against Leeds City.

Burley Trojans and Horsforth St Margaret’s went into the break goal-less after a tight first half, but ran out 5–0 winners after an Heather Fisher hat-trick and a goal each from Bethan Smith and Hannah Spivey.

Bradford City’s u21s were at Knaresborough, finding themselves 4–0 down at the break.

City’s half-time team talk galvanised them to regroup and change their tactics to try to counter Town’s possession, and they came out in the second half in a much more positive manner and pressed forward to try and get a breakthrough to reduce the deficit. The second half was a more-even affair, with City enjoying far more possession and time in Town’s half, posing a few serious threats to the home team’s goal. But Knaresborough scored two more to make it 6–0.

City’s u23s posted their first win in the FA National Reserve Division, the 6–4 victory including a brace from ex-Yorkshire Amateur player Maria McKenna.

City’s u19s put in a fantastic performance against quality opposition in the Community & Education Alliance League Cup. The 7–3 win against Manchester City at Wyke saw a pair of braces from Summer Paley and Tiah Smith and a Hannah Markey hat-trick.

This week’s excellent display, clinical in front of goal, and a much more controlled second-half performance, resulted in a 12–4 win at Burnley.

City’s u16s drew 1–1 with York City in their Junior Premier League opener.

Thackley Blizzards have made a good start to this season in the West Riding Girls’ League at u17 level, with a 6–1 League Cup victory over Norristhorpe and a 5-3 win at Wortley. Their latest match saw goals from Emily Thompson, Victory Chinweuba and a late equaliser from Annie-Jo Davy in a 3–3 draw.