Athletico wins International Women's Day tournament in Manningham

The winners were Athletico A, and the runners-up Sponge Bob Football Pants.

In the West Riding County Third Division, Athletico had a tough game away to Burley Trojans on a heavy pitch at Otley Meadows.

In a relatively quiet first half, Megan Sparkes’ opener was cancelled out by Charlotte Keane’s equaliser.

Both sides upped their game in a busy second half. Burley pushed three up front to get a result, but a lapse in concentration saw Athletico’s Sadyha Akhtar score a brace to put the visitors 3–1 in front.

Nadia Nazir cleared off the line, as Trojans struggled to find a way back. Sparkes completed the scoring for a hard-fought 4–1 victory, setting Athletico up for a vital top-of-the-table clash away to Brighouse Town Development.

Athletico absorbed early Town pressure before they found their game. Megan Sparkes opened the scoring from a free-kick, then Ikra Ali made it 2–0 on the half hour mark.

Athletico relaxed a bit, with Town going on the attack, forcing Player of the Match Claire Gibson to make some spectacular saves.

Town, who had previously only lost one match all season, did score. But it was all Athletico on the day, with Sadyha Akhtar and Ikra Ali scoring on the break complete the 4–1 scoreline.

Silsden and Thackley are both battling to avoid relegation from County Premier.

At home to Silsden, Thackley were 2–0 up, after Meg Butterworth gave them the lead and Annie Nicol hit a superb strike from wide on the left. Lois Cooper and Meg Butterworth were also on target to make it 4–0 at half-time.

Arooba Khan, who played for the Dennygirls as part of the partnership with Bradford City’s U-18s, was immense throughout the game.

Thackley keeper Katie Bailey was forced to make a couple of important saves, as Silsden tried to find a way back into the game, but couldn’t find the previous week’s good form. Butterworth secured her hat-trick late in the game for a welcome 5–0 win.

In their latest games, Silsden and Thackley were both at home. Silsden started well against Harrogate Railway, with a Nic Frankland goal from a set-piece putting them 1–0 up.

Silsden created some great opportunities but couldn’t find that final touch. Late in the half, Silsden conceded a penalty, which gave Railway the impetus to go 3–1 in front. The last 10 minutes saw Silsden applying pressure but were unable to capitalise.

Thackley went 1-0 down to an early goal league championship contenders Yorkshire Amateur, but soon got back into the game with a Carly Doyle strike.

Thackley then helped Ammers take a 2–1 half-time lead when a back pass was caught by a gust of wind and went straight past Katie Bailey.

Both teams came back out fighting with Thackley having the better of the possession. Lois Cooper added Thackley’s second with an absolute rocket from outside the box. Unfortunately Ammers added a third to secure the points.

Despite a Sarah Hemingway strike, Brighouse Sports Ladies lost 2–1 away at next Sunday’s visitors Harrogate Town Development.

The following week, Ossett United Development went in front, before Louise Stringer and captain Demi Topliss gave Sports the advantage. However five minutes from time, a mistake at the back saw Ossett secure a draw to move them one point above Thackley.

At the top of County First, Skipton Town had a tough game away to leaders Leeds United U-21s.

Skipton’s centre-back Isabel Hutchinson put in a strong performance in a match that could have gone either way. However, with ten minutes remaining, Targol Fayyaz managed a lob over Skipton’s keeper, which found the back of the net.

There were chances and goalmouth scrambles at both ends, but in the end United took the points to put them further ahead after they had been awarded wins from two abandoned games.

Skipton’s skipper, midfielder Alex Heyworth, put in another strong performance as they bounced back with a 2–0 win against Leeds City, featuring a Bethany Bancroft goal in each half.

Tyersal played back-to-back games against Farsley Junior Reserves.

The basement side’s Nikki Relton played well, with a goal from Demi Pringle, but it was a narrow 2–1 loss.

Then in the away game, Sarah Opie and Jacie-Lee Wood were on target, but the Robins lost 7–2.

In County Second, Field AFC started off strongly away to Farsley Junior Devs, with both teams battling for possession.

Striker Meg Schofield planted the ball perfectly in the back of the net to give Field a 1–0 half-time lead.

Farsley advanced forward, attempting to breach Field’s defence, but Schofield lobbed the keeper to secure her second. Then, with 10 minutes to go, Charlotte Hill placed the ball smoothly in the bottom left corner for a 3–0 win.

Field are currently playing Thursday-night fixtures under the lights at Hollingwood Lane (7.30).

Leeds University Union Development were the first visitors. Field dominated the game, as Hope Nicol opened the scoring with a cool, calm lob of Leeds’ goalkeeper, then Megan Schofield scored an absolute screamer.

The second half saw Schofield score her second, then Tasha Williams scored a 45-yard screamer for a 4–0 result.

Bradford City’s U-23 side were recently in action at FA Reserve Northern Division leaders Chorley. Goalless on 90 minutes, the game ended up going the way of the hosts after a winner in the fifth minute of time added-on.

Next Sunday, Bradford (Park Avenue) host Altofts at Horsfall, Queensbury Celtic play Farsley Celtic Women’s Reserves at Pit Lane, Silsden entertain Leeds Medics and Dentists, and there’s a local derby between Skipton and Ilkley Town at Carleton New Road.

Looking forward to Saturday, March 26, Field Ladies are holding their Race Night, from 6 pm at Field Sports and Social Club. Please note that the night’s activity is on a cash only basis, and is a fundraiser for the pitch restoration project. Further details are available on the Ladies’ Facebook page. facebook.com/fieldladiesafc/