Silsden LADIES have secured their place in the Yorkshire Premier Division - despite slipping to a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Grimsby.

The below-par performance against the east coast team left them anxiously awaiting the latest news from league headquarters, but this week they were told they had done enough to stay in the Premier Division.

Next season they will be joined by Bradford City who have been relegated from the Conference and Leeds Vixens or Huddersfield are also expected to be relegated. Scalby and North Ferriby Bridge will be promoted from the first division.

The girls face a tough cup 'double' after being drawn against top side York City in both the quarter-final of the Knockout Cup and the semi-final of the Yorkshire Cup.

This weekend they are at home to York in the Knockout Cup (ko 2pm) and the date of the Yorkshire Cup clash has still to be arranged.

The team was given a boost this weekend when influential mid-fielder Carrie Kennedy returned to light training after being out of action for most of the season with a knee injury. "She may not be able to play again this season, but just having her on the training field has given the other members of the squad a lift," said coach Neil Farley.