Field dumped out of cup in seven-goal thriller defeat

Field and Burley Trojans were both hoping to win their respective League Shield Round-of-16 matches.

Field were expecting a nail-biting tie against Lower Hopton Development, after two close League matches earlier in the season. The game was switched to Laisteridge Lane to ensure it went ahead to prevent later fixture congestion.

A positive start from both teams saw chances created at both ends from the off. Field ’keeper Emily McKinley was called into action early-on, making three great saves to keep Field in the game. The deadlock was broken by a brace from Hopton’s captain Amelia Sherriff: a curling corner kick found its way unaided into the top corner; then soon after she converted a perfectly-placed free-kick. Field, sporting their new away kit, were not to be out-done, and continued to press and create chances, their persistence paying off as Charlotte Hill pulled one back to lessen the arrears at the break.

Early in the second half, Field were level after a corner was converted with a rocket of a header from captain-of-the-day Megan Howell — an emotional moment for the whole team, as the game was dedicated to the memory of Howell’s brother Liam, who passed away recently. Unfortunately Hopton scored a third after a goal-mouth scramble led to Nina Fox’ close-range shot. Field levelled again through top-scorer Megan Sparkes, but it was not their day, as another perfectly-placed corner found Fox’ head to see Field knocked out after a close 4–3 score-line.

Burley Trojans were 2–0 down early-on at home in the first of two home games against Boroughbridge. Troggs fought back to deservedly level with goals from top scorer Heather Fisher and a first goal of the season from Ellie McCready. But they failed to take their chances, and Boroughbridge capitalised late-on with further goals to go through 4–2.

The following week’s mid-table match in the County Second division saw the two teams cancelling each other out for the most part, but it was more of the same with Boroughbridge taking their chances to win 2–1, Charlotte Keane scoring a second-half goal.

Bradford City’s u21s played Wortley in consecutive weeks, as they strive to gain a promotion spot.

They recorded a 7–1 win at Oldfield Lane, featuring a hat-trick from Player-of-the-match Arooba Khan. Then the following week the u21s went into the Easter break with a 12–0 win against the same opposition at Harrogate Road. Player-of-the-match Annabel Rowe came off the bench to chalk up a hat-trick, her first goals for the side.

City’s U19s have had mixed results in their Community & Education Alliance games.

There was a good game at Derby County, with many shots on goal, eventually leading to a 1–0 win, followed by a battling performance to gain a 1–1 draw at Aston Villa ‘B’. They returned to Aston Villa Academy for a League Cup Quarter-final tie, where a poor first half against Villa’s ‘A’ team led to an unrecoverable deficit. Although there was an improved second half, City went out 3–1.

In County Premier, Brighouse Sports were involved in a double-bill against Leeds Modernians (at Weetwood).

Brighouse have signed Shauna Messenger from Rotherham United Reserves. Messenger, who was awarded Player-of-the-match in both games of this double-bill, has recently appeared for England Fans’ Lionesses — alongside her sister, Golcar United player Cherisse — in their 10–0 win over Garforth Rangers, for the Maddy Cusack Trophy.

Modernians have recently signed Megan Davis from Bradford City, where she appeared for both the first team and the u23 side that have recently withdrawn from the FA National League’s Reserve Division North. Davis made an immediate impression, scoring a brace in both games.

Unfortunately for basement side Brighouse, both games ended up in 9–0 victories for Mods.

Last Sunday, Silsden were involved in a tight game against Harrogate Railway at Keighley Road.

After 20 minutes, Railway earned a free-kick on the edge of the Silsden box, which hit the post but Katie Laurence found the rebound to slot home. A late challenge saw Railway reduced to 10 men, then having to resist intense pressure from Sils before the break.

Soon after the re-start, Railway gave away the ball and Sils’ Lucy Ogden was on hand to level the score with a great finish. Sils created two or three further opportunities but Railway defended well. Unfortunately Railway scored on the break, Caitlyn Atkin slotting home a well-taken goal, as they took home the points with a 2–1 win.

● There are no WRCWFL games on Easter Sunday, but Silsden host Mods on Wednesday evening (March 27th) under the lights at Keighley Road.

Ilkley Town Development have seen steady progress throughout this season in County Fourth , and have recorded two good wins at Leeds Road.

An excellent performance against Crossley Juniors saw a 6–2 win, with goals from Scarlet Guise (3), Evie Woolford (2) and Hannah Piotrowski. Then the Devs had a tough match against a very resilient Shadwell United. However a strong squad rotated well and controlled the game for a 4–1 win, with goals from Alice Atkinson (2), Ellen Kennedy and Penny Oates.

Halifax FC had an FA National League, Premier Division game against West Bromwich Albion (at Sallie Swan Street).

The game started with both teams pushing on early, trying to find that important early goal to put them ahead. The early goal came for West Brom, when in the 10th minute of the game, Olivia Rabjohn squared the ball across the face of goal to find Delphi Cole who finished excellently into the bottom left-hand corner on the half-volley. The goal proved to be an important one as both teams struggled to find their way through either of the defensive walls for the remainder of the game. Despite the huge effort from Halifax’ players, the nature of the game made it difficult to find that equalising goal, West Brom’s defence could not be broken on the day.

● Halifax have three away games coming up, including a local derby against Huddersfield Town (at Storthes Hall Lane) on Wednesday March 27.