BRADFORD (Park Avenue) First Team had a return North-east Regional League game with last week’s opponents Wakefield Trinity u23.

Another fiercely-contested fixture saw a mix-up at the back pounced upon by Liv Duxbury, who struck the ball over the keeper to give Avenue the lead. However, a great effort from distance was too hot to handle for Avenue keeper Annie Roberts, to make it 1–1 with less than 10' on the clock.

Mid-way through the half, the hosts took the ball behind Bradford’s defence, with the striker finishing off the resulting one-on-one to put them in the lead. Duxbury sent a great through ball for Nat Bell to equalize. Bethany Vickers fired in a shot that went in off a Trinity defender to again take the lead. Wakefield’s next cross was tapped in by an unmarked player at the far post. The half finished with Trinity taking a 4–3 lead.

The second half saw many missed opportunities for both teams. Roberts pulled off an unbelievable save to keep the score close. As the clock wound down, Avenue were hoping for a point, but the hosts’ Orlane N’Cho scored at the death to make it 5–3 to Wakefield.

In the other Southern Division game, Farsley Ladies drew 3–3 with Millmoor.

West Riding County League Third Division leaders Athletico entertained Farsley Celtic Women’s new Reserve set-up at Bradford Academy. It was a fairly-even game until the half-hour mark, when Athletico scored three goals in a five-minute spell. They went on to dominate the second half, ending in a 7–0 victory. Megan Sparkes scored four, Sadhya Akhtar two, and there was a début goal from Saarah Rafiq.

Avenue’s Development side drew 2–2 with Crofton, with goals from Josie Windle and skipper Loren Gregory.

Burley Trojans put in a solid, defensive display against a good, young Brighouse Town Devs side. Bethan Smith and Naomi Myhill were the scorers in the 2–0 win.

Queensbury Celtic switched their game with Huddersfield Amateur Reserves to Pit Lane, and took a 5–3 win, with an early goal from Amelia Greaves and four from Katie Waters.

Ilkley Town had a successful weekend on the road. The u17s beat Rothwell 5–3 to reach the West Riding Girls’ League Cup semi-finals and Open-age won their WRCWFL First Division match at Dewsbury 7–3. The latter saw hat-tricks from Eva Curran and Shareen Munir, plus a goal from Neve Tennant.

Skipton Town had an entertaining game against Leeds United’s u21 set-up. Skipton had the pick of the chances, but it was Leeds who broke the dead-lock to take a 1–0 lead into the break. Corina Riley equalized for Skipton but Leeds scored a late winner.

Thackley Reserves were at Second Division leaders Hepworth Devs, with both teams defending 100% records. The Dennygirls looked strong in the first half, creating chances with a number of attempts on goal. However, the hosts went 1–0 ahead just before the break after being awarded a penalty.

Hepworth continued to put pressure on, with the visitors eventually losing 5–0.

In  the FA Cup  First Round Proper, Brighouse Town won 1–0 at FC United of Manchester, with a first-half goal from mid-fielder Sophie John.   Town are at home in Second Round Proper on 28 November, when they host Farsley Celtic Women.  The Celts beat Mossley Hill 2–0, with second-half goals from Hannah Brierley and Charlotte Sales.  

Leeds United are away at Norton and Stockton, after they won 4–0 at Hartlepool United, thanks to a Laura Bartup header, Abbie Brown with a curling effort from outside the box, an own goal and a Paige Williams tap-in.  

Bradford City u23 are through to the next round of the FA Reserve Division Plate.  They were all-square at 2–2 at half-time in their Preliminary Round tie against Barnsley Women’s Reserves.  It was still tied at 3–3 after 90', leading to a penalty shoot-out that City won 4–2.  

Meanwhile, Bradford City’s u16s and u15s have been drawn to play each other in the West Riding FA Junior Cup.  City’s u12 side are also through in the inaugural Girls’ Junior Shield, and are at Altofts in the 3rd Round.