BRADFORD (Park Avenue) recorded their first points in NERWFL South.

But it was newly-promoted Barnsley Ladies who took the lead, as an Amy Lassu brace put the visitors 2–0 in front.

However, Avenue showed resilience to lead 3–2 at half time. A deflected Ami Nolan free-kick found the top corner with the Barnsley keeper stranded, then excellent build-up play saw Nat Bell volley in the resulting cross. Liv Duxbury took on four players before playing a ball to Kirsty Russell-Holt to poke home a one-on-one.

The visitors were unable to add a third, with the defence standing tall, with excellent performances from player of the match Melandri Nyandoro and several superb saves from Annie Roberts.

The game was completed when Jade Nelson flicked in a corner too hot for the goalkeeper to handle.

The 4–2 score-line sets them up for next weekend’s FA Cup qualifier against League rivals Millmoor at Horsfall.

In other FA Cup ties, Brighouse Sports play York City at St. John’s University and Thackley take on East Midlands Regional side St. Joseph’s Rockware of Worksop.

Brighouse’ games in the WRCWFL Premier have seen a 5–2 victory over Wetherby, but a 5–1 defeat at Ripon and a narrow 1–0 loss to Yorkshire Amateur, despite dominating the first half. Ammas’ new signings were key to the game, new keeper Dani Faint thwarting every Sports shot, and ex-Silsden striker Megan Robson-Owens’ lob over Sports’ goalkeeper won the game.

Thackley Firsts’ recent games have seen a close 6–5 win at Brayton, then a narrow loss at home with Meg Butterworth scoring first, but Leeds Medics’ new ’keeper Charlotte Beattie preventing any further goals before their 2–1 win. However last week Thackley chalked up a convincing 6–1 win at Wetherby, with a Lois Cooper hat-trick, and other goals from Annie Nicol and Meg Butterworth.

In the WRCWFL First Division, Ilkley Town beat promoted side Leeds City 7–3, and an under-strength Tyersal lost 6–0 at Skipton. Skipton’s scorers were Beth Bancroft (3) and Shelby Lawson, with two début goals as an amazing Izzy Hutchinson header and a Lisa Frost penalty both beat Tyersal’s Sophie Woodrup.

Finally, a local derby in the Third Division saw an injury-ravaged Queensbury Celtic taking on a tough Athletico. Athletico dominated the first half, with Megan Sparkes’ spectacular over-head shot narrowly missing its target, but Queensbury worked hard to ensure the first half remained goal-less. Sparkes’ second-half hat-trick and Sadhya Akhtar’s strike settled the 4–0 victory for Athletico.

Queensbury are hopeful of a better result next weekend, as they host Huddersfield Amateurs’ new reserve set-up in a limited League programme.