LAST weekend’s match of the day in the West Riding County Women's Football League was a seven-goal thriller between Ilkley Town and Silsden.

Despite Ilkley showing some fantastic resilience in equalising three times, Silsden edged the First Division tie 4–3, with Lucy Ogden's brace supplemented by goals from Poppy Best and Georgia Greenwood.

Cobbydalers boss Liam Best was delighted with his energetic team, saying: “The group have been playing very well recently and haven’t quite turned those performances into results.

“Today though was an excellent performance and a well-deserved win, with some really good goals too.”

The “Baht'Bonnets”, who replied through Millie Washington, skipper Emily Reader-Harris and Taylor Orchard, have a really tough month ahead, starting with this Sunday’s home game with Sherburn White Rose.

Thackley were at West Riding County Premier leaders Lower Hopton and it was goalless at half-time in a highly-competitive game.

However, Hopton showed their class in the end, netting three times without reply after the break.

Brighouse Sports travelled to Harrogate Railway with only nine players.

A valiant first-half performance saw Sports go in 0–0 at the break, more than holding their own.

Railway changed formation, allowing for a few chances before Brighouse were eventually broken down 10 minutes into the second half to go 1–0 behind.

The visitors continued to defend magnificently and there were no further goals despite Harrogate's huge advantage.

Brighouse are expected to have a full squad available for a key game at Thackley on Sunday.

Tyersal took on Republica Internationale on a heavy pitch at a very windy Arkwright Street in the West Riding County Second Division

Tyersal started off well but they soon struggled playing against the wind, with Republica taking advantage of the conditions to go 4–0 up at the break.

The second half saw Fiona Parkinson come close with a good chance for Tyersal while Nikki Relton and keeper Naomi Reid played particularly well, but Republica still went away with a 6-0 victory.

On Sunday, Tyersal entertain Leeds Hyde Park.

Athletico took the short trip to Bramley to play Farsley Celtic Juniors' Development side.

They continued their fine Third Division form by winning 6-0, with a hat-trick from Sadyha Akhtar (3) and further goals from Connie Lea, Sanah Razaq and Rimshah Amin.

In the Fourth Division, Skipton Town Development entertained Knaresborough Town.

Skipton’s defence showed why they are one of the best in the league and the first half-hour was keenly contested before a free-kick put Knaresborough 1-0 up.

It was not until just before the break that Skipton got their first good chance of the game but the visiting goalkeeper just got to the ball.

Two minutes after the restart, a Knaresborough player tried to slot the ball past Skipton stopper Laura Thurling and just inside the post but she made a super save.t

But sadly that was to no avail, as unbeaten Knaresborough ended up winning 3–0 up.

Third-placed Skipton still at least have a chance of that all-important top-two finish and they host Hyde Park’s second string this weekend.

Bradford (Park Avenue) also return to North East Regional Women's Football League action this Sunday as they attempt to move away from the foot of the Southern Division.

Their opponents this weekend are Nottinghamshire-based Harworth Colliery.

Unfortunately local interest in the Women’s FA Cup ended after the weekend’s results, with Leeds United losing 9–0 away to Women's Super League giants Arsenal in the fourth round.

Local players Mia Enderby and Bex Rayner were in the starting line-up for Sheffield United, who were only 1–0 behind until just before half-time, before losing 7–0 at another one of the best sides in the country in Manchester City.

Our local West Riding Girls’ League teams returned to action on Sunday and Queensbury Celtic Under-18s gave debuts to three new players, putting in a top-drawer performance to go through to the next round of the Challenge Cup.

Orla Durkin scored all four goals in the 4–0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Thackley Blizzards’ U16 side were expecting another close encounter after a narrow 3–2 loss at Wortley earlier this season.

After ten minutes Thackley were losing 1–0.

Midway through the first half, a Jessica Gibson strike ensured parity at the break, with the Blizzards going on to win 3–2 this time.