BRADFORD (Park Avenue) Ladies dug deep to come back and take all three points in their North East Regional League Southern Division game against Hepworth United.

The visitors took an early lead, after a great strike from distance, just out of reach of the Avenue keeper, and a high, looping ball found their way into Avenue’s net. But just before half time Millie West’s great strike from distance beat Hepworth’s keeper, then Kirsty Russell-Holt fired in from an angle, to make it all-square.

Not long after the interval, Avenue went 4–2 ahead following a quick-fire Kirsty Russell-Holt double, as a lucky deflection came back off the goal-keeper and nestled in the bottom corner, and a great finish from a through ball from Vic Moore. Captain Moore completed the 5–2 win as she volleyed home a beautifully-flighted ball from Ami Nolan.

Silsden also came back from 2–0 down, in their West Riding County Premier Division match at Wetherby. Goals from Elly Field (2), Alice McNee and Becca Brown gave the Dragons a hard-fought 4–3 victory, and their first points of the season.

Skipton Town were also losing in their First Division match away to Farsley Junior Ladies Reserves, through Jas Cooper and Leane Farrell. However a Beth Bancroft brace and a winner from Corina Riley saw Skipton win 3–2.

Athletico pressed hard from the start of their Third Division match against Burley Trojans, to lead with goals from Ikra Ali and Megan Sparkes. Troggs missed a penalty, hit the bar and hit the post and were trailing 2–0 at the break. Hannah Spivey got one back to get them back in the game, but then they went further behind following a Sadhya Akhtar penalty. Troggs, finishing the game with 10 men, threw the proverbial kitchen sink at their hosts to get something from the game, with Heather Fisher-Pedley scoring late-on to make it 3–2, but it was Athletico who took the points.

Bradford City’s u18s were in West Riding Girls’ League action against Guiseley. Kadie Lawford (3), Molly Marsh and Luzia Negru were the scorers in the 5–3 win.

City’s u16s top the u17 Division 1, after a 5–0 victory over Guiseley (Black).

Queensbury Celtic’s u17s fought out an end-to-end game in Division 2 at home to Guiseley Bluejays. Queensbury took an early lead through Lily Mackrill, but Guiseley equalized soon after, then a quick double put them further ahead. Emily Lazenby’s sublime finish in the top corner brought Celtic back into the game, but Bluejays scored yet again to make it 4–2. The half concluded as Lazenby scored an absolute worldie with a 40-yard volley.

Queensbury fought to get at least a point, but late-on, Guiseley were awarded a penalty to win 5–3.

Elsewhere, Brighouse Sports’ West Riding County Cup Preliminary Round tie at Yorkshire Amateur went to penalties. Brighouse took the lead as a superb counter-attack was smartly finished by Sarah Hemingway, however the sides were level at half-time following a defensive error.

Hemingway’s low, near-post shot put Sports back in front, but the ever-alert Tanya Fozzard scored two more to put Ammas in the lead. Kennedy Power headed home an equalizer on 90', but Sports lost the ensuing shoot-out 4–3.

Thackley Reserves were at home to County Premier side Leeds Medics and Dentists, who opened the scoring with an 18-yard shot, giving Dennygirls’ ’keeper Emily McKinley no chance. Soon after, Hope Nicol cleverly lofted the ball over an off-the-line goalkeeper to equalize. McKinley made more crucial saves, but was unable to stop Medics’ winner.

Meanwhile, Thackley First were away to Leeds City. Ness Holroyd ran the whole length of the pitch before putting away the first goal. Carly Doyle, Lois Cooper (2) and Meg Butterworth completed a 5–0 win, as they prepare for this Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Blackburn Community.

Also this Sunday, WRCWFL Third Division teams Athletico, Bradford (Park Avenue) Development, Brighouse Town Devs, Burley and Queensbury have all got home games.