SILSDEN Juniors’ women’s football team have a big match this Sunday in the West Riding County Cup, as they host holders FA National League side Halifax FC in a 3rd-round tie.

The Dragons are still in the County Cup after being awarded the result of their earlier round against Bradford City. The Bantams lost their appeal against expulsion for fielding an ineligible player.

Last weekend’s WRCWFL League Cup game saw Silsden Juniors put in a great performance against a resolute Ackworth. They scored some fantastic goals in their 6–0 win to see them through to the Quarter-finals.

Halifax FC ended 2023 with another Northern Premier Division draw, 1–1 away at Liverpool Feds, and last week travelled to League leaders Newcastle United. The Eagles’ Darcie Greene and Lucy Sowerby did have chances in the first half, but the Magpies dominated the second half and ended up winning 7–0.

One supporter will have divided loyalties on the day, as Kim Whitham has two daughters involved: Gabby plays for Silsden, and Danielle has recently rejoined Halifax FC.

Kick-off at Keighley Road is at 2 o’clock, with the winners due to host Knaresborough Town in the Quarter-finals.

Bradford (Park Avenue) were at Brighouse Town Juniors for their 3rd-round tie.

Bradford had the best of a fairly-even first half, and had many chances, but had to wait until 44’ for the first goal of the game. Millie West hit a speculative shot from an acute angle that gave Town ’keeper Freya Roper no chance.

Soon after the break, Carey Hadwen scored an almost-identical goal to put the hosts level. The game for a while did feel like it would end with the lottery of a penalty shoot-out — but Brighouse were not fazed by their higher-division opposition, and scored two further goals to win 3–1.

The result saw Brighouse Town Juniors through to the next round, where they are away to the winner of the delayed 3rd-Round tie between Harrogate Town and Leeds United.

Last weekend there were a limited number of Women’s Football League matches due to various factors.

West Riding County First Division leaders Ilkley Town were at home to Golcar United.

After a good first 10 minutes for the visitors, it was virtually one-way traffic for Ilkley, who went on to win 7–0, including a pair of braces for Izzy Armstrong and Taylor Orchard. Manager Claire Armstrong was delighted to start the new year with a good win after a long winter break: “I’m pleased how we can adjust when needed due to injury and illness.”

Ilkley's development team had a competitive County Fourth game away to a well-organised Halifax Friendly side on a difficult surface. Ilkley worked hard, with Evie Woolford scoring the only goal in the 1–0 win.

In County Third, Bradford United were missing key players for the visit of Crofton Sports. Player-of-the-match Zahra Batool scored three outstanding goals, but it was a 12–3 loss on the day.

Skipton Town Development started well at Kinsley, a Jess Ferridge tap-in and a Shannon Wilson screamer giving them a 2–0 advantage at the break. Reagan Percival added to the score, alongside two further goals from Ferridge in the 5–0 win.

Meanwhile, Skipton’s First Team were away to Leeds Medics & Dentists in a County Premier top-of-the-table clash. Emily Throup added to her impressive 14-goal haul so far, but a 5–2 loss saw their first points dropped this season.

Thackley’s Player-of-the-match Katie Bailey made some good saves, but visitors Sherburn White Rose put in a dominant display to take the points with a 4–0 win.

Wharfedale Observer: Thackley (red) battled hard but were well beaten by Sherburn White Rose in this game at the weekend.Thackley (red) battled hard but were well beaten by Sherburn White Rose in this game at the weekend. (Image: Martin Taylor.)

However an earlier WRCWFL Cup tie saw Thackley record a 7–2 victory over Brayton Belles in Round 3, including a Lois Cooper hat-trick.

This Sunday, Thackley and Brighouse Sports meet at Ainsbury Avenue, with both sides seeking points. In other local games, Ilkley Town Firsts are at home to Hyde Park Firsts, Queensbury Celtic host Boroughbridge, and Tyersal have a local derby against Bradford United at Arkwright Street.

One of our local sides, Queensbury Celtic has spaces for new players to join (16+), please contact Alex at 07538 807448.

Leeds United went into their FA National League, Division 1 match against Doncaster Rovers Belles in fifth place. Jess Rousseau gave the Whites the lead, but they were losing 2–1 at the break. However three second-half goals gave Leeds a 4–2 lead and the points.

Bradford City player Aalliyah Nolan has recently been on international duty with the Bermuda FA. Last month, The Road to the W Gold Cup culminated in a winner-takes-all group game away to the Dominican Republic at Estadio Panamericano, San Cristóbal, with Bermuda needing to retain their position at the top of their qualifying group in order to progress through to the CONCACAF W Gold Cup.

The Lady Warriors did play well, as they attempted to recover from a 1–0 half-time deficit, but unfortunately the Dominican Republic scored a second goal to go through to next month’s preliminary round in California against Guyana.