THACKLEY entertained Harrogate Railway’s First Team in a West Riding County Premier Division encounter that could have gone either way.

The Dennygirls started off the faster of the two teams and certainly could easily have been three-up in the first quarter-hour if not for some world-class saves from Railway’s keeper Charlotte Donnelly. But it was Railway who ended up 3–0 to the better before half-time with three well-taken goals.

Soon after the break Thackley were back in the game as a Chelsea Morton set-piece allowed Taylor Rushworth to pull one back, and on the hour mark Jess Buck brought it back to 3–2. But Railway smashed two further goals into the back of the net to take the points, 5–2 on the day.

Field AFC were away to Harrogate Railway Reserves in a County Fourth game, with both teams eager to make an impression after not playing last week.

Field felt that they were making a positive start, but before ten minutes had elapsed, Railway turned up the pressure to open the scoring. However a few minutes later Kirsty Setchell saw an opportunity from near the centre circle to lob the ’keeper and equalise. Ten minutes later, centre-back Megan Howell took a speculative shot from 25 yards out that soared into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. On the half-hour mark, Railway equalised after a well-taken penalty, however just before the break, Nicki Hanson hit a low strike that slipped past the goalkeeper to give a slender advantage at the interval.

Both teams had chances for further goals in the second half, with good play from Sarah Binns. Joint manager Julia Hogan joined the field of play for the last quarter-hour to keep the advantage as the score remained at 3–2 to Field.

Ilkley Town were expecting a tough encounter against County First current leaders Huddersfield Amateur at Ben Rhydding, despite their visitors having a threadbare squad.

The Baht’atters were 2–0 down at half-time, with Eva Curran pulling one back in a gritty second half.

Manager Claire Armstrong observed: “credit to Huddersfield who hit the ground running whilst we were off the pace. Despite being two behind at half time we then dominated the second half and were unfortunate not to get a point.”

Tyersal were at home to Dewsbury Rangers in County Second. A flukish goal five minutes in saw Tyersal on the back foot, with some good play from the attack as they tried to get back into the game, but Dewsbury scored three more before the break for a 4–0 advantage.

Sophie Woodrup put in a strong defensive performance to earn player of the match, but it was a 5–0 loss for the Robins.

Bradford (Park Avenue) hosted Millmoor Juniors in their latest Regional Northeast League match. The teams have met a few times previously in the league and Cup, these all having been close affairs and Sunday’s game was no exception. Both teams were slightly understrength, but Avenue were hoping to chalk up their first points of the season.

Millmoor scored first, but this was soon followed by an equaliser from Bradford’s skipper Jade Nelson. Millmoor scored again to take the lead at half-time.

Avenue continued their good form from their previous two games and it was no surprise when Nelson scored another equaliser. Unfortunately the visitors scored another two to leave Avenue a mountain to climb with less than 10 minutes to go. However Nelson completed her hat-trick as she scored another goal to make it 4–3, a chance of a point and an exciting last few minutes. But it was not to be, and Avenue go into this weekend’s fixture against Farsley Juniors’ First Team at Batley Tennis Centre still needing their first points.

Elsewhere, Leeds United won at Redcar in the FA Cup, to secure a Second Round Proper tie at home to Stoke City, and Huddersfield Town are away to Birmingham City on 11 December.