BRADFORD (Park Avenue) Ladies’ first team were hoping to build on their current good form, with the first of two home fixtures in the North-east Regional League, Southern Division.

Against Millmoor Juniors, there were chances for both sides, with good play from Lisa Holgate and great saves from Annie Roberts, but despite a good defensive performance, Avenue again found themselves 2–0 down at the break.

The visitors’ cross took a wicked deflection to put them further in front, just before they were caught completely off guard for Millie West to put the ball in the back of the net to make it 3–1.

Avenue had further chances, but a Millmoor header cemented their 4–1 win.

Farsley Junior First had Tara Nolan on target against Hull United, but they too lost by the same score-line.

A much-improved Ilkley Town had an hastily-arranged game. Corina Riley and an Ali Smith brace put Skipton ahead at half-time but Ilkley played well to limit the arrears, as they prepare to host Tyersal on Sunday.

Thackley Reserves maintained their current 100% record in the West Riding County Second Division, as they visited Farsley Junior Development’s heavy, sloping pitch at Airedale Cliff.

There were no goals until 42', when Anna Mitchell’s 30-yard shot hit the top-left corner to put the Dennygirls ahead. Mitchell almost got a second but this was denied by a great save, and Jess Vanston fired just over the bar, just before the interval.

Despite playing up the slope, Thackley were in pursuit of a second goal. This actually came in the form of a well-taken Becky Teale penalty. Thackley keeper Emily McKinley was unable to stop a later, well-placed penalty, but made several outstanding saves to secure a 2–1 win, Thackley’s fourth of the season.

Athletico are the new Third Division leaders, after two big victories. Firstly Megan Sparkes scored some fantastic goals, ending up with five to her tally, plus others from Sadhya Akhtar (3), Ikra Ali (2), Janna Abdalla and Zanib Taj. Visitors Huddersfield Amateur Reserves suffered several injuries, ending with 10 players, and on the wrong end of a 12–1 score-line.

And last weekend, Athletico went 2–0 up, but hosts Horsforth St Margaret’s brought it back to 2–2, before Athletico took a slender 3–2 lead into the break. Sparkes and Ali linked up well to secure an 8–4 win.

Burley Trojans were actually playing their first-ever competitive home game when they played Crofton at Burley rec.

Heather Fisher-Pedley (2), Annie Postlethwaite and Naomi Myhill were on target in the 4–1 win.

There have been a limited number of matches in our local women’s football programme, due to the weather and other factors.