IT was back to League action for our women’s football teams, with mixed results.

Bradford Park Avenue and Farsley Junior Ladies were at Batley Sports Centre for their North-East Regional League Southern Division match.

In an entertaining first half, Avenue took the lead with a fabulous finish from Kirsty Russell-Holt. Debutante Bethany Vickers doubled the lead, her superb solo goal curling in from just outside the area. However the hosts were level at half-time after a good volley and a quick break proved fruitful.

Avenue re-gained the advantage, leading scorer Russell-Holt completing her brace as a slide-rule pass was finished with style. With good play from midfielder Liv Duxbury and ’keeper Nic Chamberlain, Avenue were hopeful of a second win. But a defensive mix-up saw the Farsley striker capitalise to score.

Both sides traded another goal apiece, as a gripping contest ended 3-3.

Athletico dominated their West Riding County League Third Division match at Kinsley, going 4–0 up at the break. Megan Sparkes scored five, Sadhya Akhtar bagged a hat-trick, with a goal from Ikra Ali and a screamer from Janna Abdalla from outside the box in the 10–0 win.

Burley Trojans’ 6–0 win against Farsley Celtic Women 10-man second string included a Heather Fisher-Pedley hat-trick and a début goal from Naomi Myhill.

Thackley Reserves continued their good form in the Second Division against Leeds Hyde Park as they dominated a goal-less first half. Centre-back Megan Howell had another good game, with the Dennygirls winning 2–0 through Kirsty Setchel’s 25-yard screamer and another wonder strike from skipper Becky Teale.

Ilkley Town’s new manager Claire Armstrong followed up a 9–0 West Riding Girls’ League Cup victory over Amaranth with a 9–0 First Division win at Tyersal, featuring hat-tricks from Neve Tennant and Shareen Munir, plus other goals from Chianna Rebair, Eva Curran and new assistant manager Emily Reader-Harris.

Skipton recorded a comprehensive 8–1 victory at promoted Sherburn, including an Emily Throup hat-trick.

Silsden welcomed Lower Hopton to Keighley Road. There was good play from Becca Brown, who took an unfamiliar role in goal, and Poppy Best, whose 70' goal was not enough to stop the 4–1 defeat to the League leaders.

Thackley First started off strongly at Ripon, with Annie Nicol scoring after only four minutes. A close first half saw Thackley 2–1 behind, with Ripon scoring two more before Jess Buck pulled one back. Ripon scored late on to end the game 5–2 in their favour.

Elsewhere, Brighouse Sports were 2–0 down to Ossett United Development, but they found their way back into the game, through Leanne Smith’s left-foot shot from outside the box, a near-identical shot from Sarah Hemingway, and a Louise Stringer tap-in to win 3–2.

Next weekend, Bradford Park Avenue host Hepworth United at Horsfall, and Athletico play Burley at Bradford Academy. Amongst West Riding County Cup Preliminary Round ties, Bradford City Development entertain Queensbury.