THACKLEY were at Harrogate Town Reserves, desperately looking for points to pull away from the West Riding County League Premier Division relegation zone.

The Bradford side started strongly, taking the lead through Carly Doyle, then Annie Nicol ran down the wing and crossed for Lois Cooper to head home.

Thackley kept the pressure up, as Luzia Negru scored an absolute rocket from 25 yards out to make it 3-0 to the Dennygirls. Polly Asquith-Brown scored a good goal for the Sulphurettes, but soon after, a ball crossed in from the right was headed in with precision by goal-machine Lois Cooper to make it 4–1 at half-time, then sealing her hat-trick just after the break.

Ava Branton pulled one back to give the hosts hope. However, as the game was drawing to a close, Megan Woollias converted clinically at the back post under pressure, to score her first-ever open-age goal.

The 6–2 win sees them two points above Brighouse Sports, who, with another depleted squad due to injuries, welcomed Harrogate Railway to Russel Way. Despite this, Sports defended well, and were twice unlucky not to score. Railway went ahead on the half-hour, with Abbie Griffiths’ shot hitting the bar just before half-time. Railway slotted another into the back of the net, with Sarah Hemingway’s on-target direct shot blocked. Brighouse and Thackley have both four games in hand over second-to-bottom Ossett United Development.

Silsden played a very-even match against Brayton, with good play from Poppy Best and ’keeper Katie Elliott. The score was 1–1, with Bethany “Bob” Gaines on target. However the last couple of minutes saw a very unfortunate own goal to end the game 2–1 to the Belles.

Tyersal switched their County First game with Skipton to Marley ACC.

The “Robins” had a good first half, as they equalised twice through Jacie-Leigh Wood and Demi Pringle to make it 2–2 at the break. But the second half saw the “Mighty Whites” score three without reply to move up to second place, behind champions Leeds United u21. Beth Bancroft scored a hat-trick, with others from Jade Foster and Emily Throup.

Field were first off the mark in their County Second game at Amaranth, following a free kick from Julia Jefferis, Megan Schofield scoring with a first-touch finish. However, the lead didn’t last long, as another free kick resulted in Amaranth scoring. But Schofield chipped the keeper to re-take the lead. Another free-kick resulted in Tasha Williams planting the ball in the back of the net.

Field played some fantastic football, as Kirsty Setchell shot from just outside the area, finding the back of the net to make it 4–1 at the end, as Field are in the top half of the table. They continue their floodlight Thursdays at Hollingwood Lane (7.30).

In County Third, Queensbury Celtic opened the scoring at Burley rec through Shoanna Clark. However Charlotte Keane, a possible goal-of-the-season header from Annie Postlethwaite, and a Hannah Spivey penalty put Troggs 3–1 up at the interval.

The second half saw Burley sloppy in possession, allowing the visitors’ Katie Waters to make it 3–2. But Keane completed her brace late-on to settle the account at 4–2, as they look forward to Thursday evening’s encounter with Brighouse Town Development at the rec (6.30).

There are no WRCWFL games on Easter Sunday, but there will be some mid-week matches, before a full fixture list on 24 April.

Bradford (Park Avenue), who have completed their fixtures, will be playing friendlies throughout April and May, with training 7–8 on Thursdays at Horsfall Playing Fields.