OUR local women’s football teams are currently playing friendlies, but the season proper commences on September 4, apart from the FA National League.

That contains Bradford City Women and Brighouse Town Women, and they both get underway on August 21.

Meanwhile, Bradford (Park Avenue) start their new season in the 11-team North East Region Women's Football League Southern Division with a home game against York RI, who won the Hemsworth Tournament last weekend.

Last weekend, Bradford were at Thackley for their first warm-up game of the season.

A first half with few chances saw Avenue go behind on the half-hour mark, with a good goal from Millie West restoring parity at half-time.

It was a good game despite the very warm conditions, but it was Thackley who made the most of their chances, with an off-form Avenue unable to get going as they ended up losing 4-1.

This Sunday at noon, Avenue meet Farsley Celtic Women at Bradford College Sports Facility on Easby Road.

Celtic have recently appointed a new manager, Jamie Sykes, who has had coaching experience at Bradford City Women and Thackley Ladies, and last season with Eccleshill United's male side.

Avenue continue their pre-season at Yorkshire Amateur on August 14, followed a week later by a game against Bradford City’s new Under-21 set-up.

The Bantams’ Under-21s will play their games in the West Riding County Women's Football League’s new Fourth Division, which also includes Bradford United, Field Ladies and Skipton Town Development.

Bradford City’s Under-23s commence their games in the FA Women's National League Reserve Northern Division at home to Hull City Reserves on September 4.

Brighouse Town’s forthcoming home games at St. Giles Road are a friendly against Championship side Coventry United this Sunday, plus matches in the Northern Premier Division on August 28 against Boldmere St. Michael’s and Huddersfield Town on Wednesday, September 28.

Brighouse put in a strong performance to beat Stockport County 4-0 a fortnight ago, and a mixed XI won 3–2 away to York City.

Ilkley Town’s Izzy Armstrong scored a few minutes into their friendly with Skipton, who hit the woodwork three times in the first 30 minutes.

Eventually Skipton scored an equaliser.

Despite some spectacular saves by Baht’atters ’keeper Ellie Wilson and an unstoppable Taylor Orchard penalty, Skipton went on to win 8-2, through Bethany Bancroft (3), Jade Foster (2), Alex Heyworth, Ella McCamon and Corina Riley.

Leeds United have had a change in management, with Rick Passmoor returning as manager after previously being in charge and leading them to success.

This Sunday they were due to be at the Keepmoat Stadium to play Doncaster Rovers Belles for the Julie Chipchase Memorial Cup but that game has been deferred.

Leeds will continue their tenancy at Tadcaster Albion for their FAWNL Division One North opener against ex-Bantams boss Chris Hames’ new team Hull City.

In pre-season for Leeds, there was a 2-1 win at Lincoln City and a 4-1 win against Sheffield.

Queensbury Celtic's Katie Waters has topped off an amazing first season in senior football with the West Riding County Women's Football League Third Division Player of the Year award.

Earlier, a Queensbury Celtic XI were at Tyersal, who have recently been relegated to County Second Division.

The Celts secured a 3-1 win through Hollie Whittaker, Safa Qayyum and Emma-Jane Casson, as they put in a great performance to match a very capable Tyersal side.

Silsden have made two further signings, as they look to bounce back after their relegation to County First.

Lillie Lawson has been at Blackburn Rovers’ Academy, and centre-half Sophia Mottram has played for Farsley Celtic.

The new-look “Dragons” opened their season at Colne, hitting the woodwork twice and having two good shots saved by the hosts’ goalkeeper, but ended up losing 4–1.

Thackley’s pre-season got off to a flying start with a 5-0 win against Farsley Celtic Juniors Ladies’ Reserves, and that 4-1 win against Bradford (Park Avenue).

The Dennygirls’ first friendly under new manager James Wright against Farsley featured a Carly Doyle brace and an hat-trick from Lois Cooper, who actually went one better to score all four against Avenue.