THE recent West Riding County Women's Premier programme over Easter saw Thackley avoid the drop.

Their first travelled over to Harrogate Railway, who took the lead through Nic Hadley, then the same player took an outrageous volley that looped over ’keeper Katie Bailey, as Thackley went into the break 2–0 down.

The Bradford side conceded an early goal in the second half. Abbie Thompson volleyed home, but Railway’s Sam Stone got her second goal from a quick counter-attack. Meg Butterworth lobbed the oncoming keeper to slot into the far corner, but the Dennygirls ended up losing 4–2.

Thursday evening saw Thackley take on Lower Hopton, with plenty of attacking throughout. Thackley took the lead through a Butterworth penalty. However, Hopton’s Bethany Ellis squeezed in a shot through a crowded box to find the bottom of the net.

Thackley retook the lead with another Butterworth penalty. Managers’ Player of the season Bailey made a fantastic one on one save to keep an Hopton attack out. Thackley finished 3–1, with a goal from Players’ Player of the Season Lois Cooper sealing Premier Division football next season.

Thackley carried on their impressive run against Brayton Belles, taking the lead through Cooper. Brayton Belles quickly levelled the game, but Thackley were back in front when Butterworth got on the end of a long ball, knocking it round the keeper. Cooper added another two goals to send the DennyGirls in 4-1 up at half-time.

Brayton Belles kept up the pressure to pull two goals back, but Bradford City u18 player Luzia Negru gave Thackley a 5-3 lead. Cooper scored again, then grabbed the goal of the game, an absolute rocket from the edge of the area. Butterworth calmly slotted in her second goal to end the match with an 8–3 victory.

Brighouse Sports were also looking for valuable points at Harrogate Railway, who took the lead after a persistent Sam Stone pounced on a loose ball, but a stubborn Sports replied with Abbie Griffiths’ powerful header.

Harrogate again went ahead with a 25-yard stunner from Emma Landsall. But Leanne Smith’s free-kick in the third minute of time added-on made it 2–2 at the end, for a crucial point.

Basement side Silsden went in front against championship contenders Yorkshire Amateurs, thanks to Poppy Best’s seventh-minute strike. However Megan Robson-Owens’ superb strike from outside the box levelled the score against her old club, with Ammers going into half-time with a 5–1 lead.

The second half started with Silsden conceding an unfortunate own goal, and Yorkshire Amateurs ended the night 9–1 up and in pole position.

Silsden played well at Brighouse Sports, making a good save tipped over the bar. Sports had many opportunities, and eventually captain Leanne Smith power-headed the ball into the back of the net for a 1–0 lead at the break.

Silsden’s skipper Sophie Fagan-Gaines powered a shot into the net, but Brighouse eventually regained the lead through Sarah Hemingway. Louise Stringer put away an impressive 4 goals, but Silsden didn't give up, with Fagan-Gaines scoring her second. Hemingway buried another before the final whistle as Brighouse won 7–2, to secure their place in the County Premier.

In County First, Ilkley Town’s Neve Tennant scored twice at Sherburn White Rose, but a surprise 3–2 defeat eclipsed the Baht’atters hopes of a top-two finish to the season.

Tyersal kept second-placed Morley Town on their toes with some good football and a screamer of a first goal, but they ended up losing 5–2, despite Stacie Baylis’ first goal this season plus one from Sarah Opie.

In Sunday’s game, Tyersal were losing to Dewsbury Rangers but Demi Pringle scored a second-half equaliser to share the points.

In County Second, Field were very much in control as they started their game against Amaranth, going 2–0 in front following two goals from Anna Mitchell.

After the break, Megan Schofield, getting frustrated having hit the woodwork twice and been denied by the keeper, finally struck the ball into the bottom-left corner after running beyond the Amaranth defence. Then Mitchell put away a penalty for her third. Schofield showcased her fast feet, taking on three players, before smashing the ball past the Amaranth keeper, then completed her hat-trick by dribbling round the keeper and walking the ball into the net. Player of the match Mitchell got her fourth, then winger Megan Howell bagged herself a goal, striking the ball with precision into the top right corner. The 8–0 win moved Field up to a fantastic fourth, with a few games in hand.