There was almost a full women’s football programme at the weekend, with mixed results.

In the West Riding County League, Premier Division, Bradford (Park Avenue) hosted promoted Sherburn White Rose, hoping to get back to winning ways.

It was all-square at the break at 1–1, with an improved performance that saw a 2–2 draw, with goals from Kerry Brannan and Nat Bell.

Brighouse started very well in their home game against Silsden, and led with a Louise Stringer penalty, before Lucy Ogden equalised. Two other chances were converted well by Sports’ Leanne Smith and Kirsty McCluskey, before Sils pulled another back. Then Georgia Greenwood burst through from midfield to make it 3–3 at half-time.

Sports’ ’keeper Imi Longden played well, and Brighouse had three or four more chances, but they couldn’t keep up with a fast, young Silsden team, who commanded the game in the second half, with further goals from Ogden and Anna Fryers to make it 5–3 to the visitors.

In County First, Ilkley Town put in a solid squad performance to win 4–0 at a competitive, organised Ackworth.

In County Second, Athletico were away to Leeds City and 2–1 up at the break. Athletico went on to score four goals in the second half, for a well-deserved 6–1 win.

Burley Trojans were playing their first game of the season as they welcomed Rangers Athletic (formerly Dewsbury) to the rec. An entertaining, even game saw Troggs rattle the crossbar twice, but it ended-up a 3–2 loss.

In County Third, Bradford United and Lower Hopton Development both started off strongly.

Within 10 minutes, Hopton took the lead from a well-delivered corner. United’s Zahraa Khan scored from a wonderfully-delivered Henna Shaheen corner, ending the half one a-piece.

The second half saw United re-take the lead with a nice finish, but tiredness saw Hopton going 5–2 in front. With just minutes to go, Khan fired an astonishing free kick, hitting the back of the net, but United ran out of time to lose 5–3.

Field started well against Kinsley, with the majority of possession and chances.

Jess Vanston coolly grabbed Field’s first goal of the season. However, the visitors soon pulled a goal back. Vanston restored Field’s lead, then player of the match Megan Sparkes accurately arrowed a shot into the bottom left-hand corner. Just before half time, Jess Davies scored with a composed finish from a tight angle.

In the second half, Kinsley got the better of Field’s defence, but a Sarah Binns penalty restored their advantage as Field won 5–2.

Skipton Town’s Development side were away to Harrogate Railway Reserves, and were 2–0 up at half-time, after two good goals from Alice McNee and Raegan Percival, including a spectacular top-left effort from outside the box.

With only ten minutes to go, Railway were level, after a spectacular free-kick and a header from a corner, as the game finished 2–2.

Tyersal went 1–0 down early-on at Pontefract Sports and Social. Tyersal’s captain Lauren Burnett beat their hosts’ offside trap to equalise, but as Ponte scored in time added-on, the Robins went into the break 2–1 down.

Early in the second half, 10-man Tyersal went further behind following a free-kick, but they kept battling, as Hayley Robinson pulled one back. Unfortunately Ponte scored four further goals and it was another disappointing result for Tyersal 7–2.

This coming weekend, there are home games for Bradford City, Eccleshill United, Field, Ilkley Firsts, Silsden, Skipton Town Development, Thackley and Tyersal.

In the FA National League, Halifax FC were 1–0 down to Liverpool Feds on the half-hour mark. However, five minutes before the break, Annabel Cass’ calm finish cancelled out Feds’ opener. An entertaining game ended with Lucy Sowerby firing into the top corner for a 2–1 win.

Leeds United and Durham Cestria struggled to gain real control throughout a stop-start game. But a battling performance saw the Whites return to winning ways in Division 1, thanks to Jess Rousseau’s 88th-minute goal.