ONCE again the local women’s football programme was decimated due to the conditions but a few games survived.

Skipton Town Development were involved in an eight-goal thriller at home to Harrogate Railway Reserves.

Both sides went into this West Riding County Fourth Division game with confidence after playing well in their respective last games.

After 12 minutes, Rail’s April Kennedy was brought down in the area and converted the resulting penalty to put the visitors ahead. Although the game was pretty evenly matched through the first half, the “Mighty Whites” scored two goals to take the lead at half-time.

The second half saw Railway determined to regain the lead. However a moment of disconnect in Railway’s organisation allowed Skipton to score a third. A second reshuffle was the catalyst for Railway to score a second, then a great shot from outside the area brought the teams level at 3–3 with 20 minutes to go. However nothing is a given in football and Skipton managed to score a fourth and fifth to secure the points. Skipton’s 5–3 win saw goals from Mia Themistocleous, Jess Ferridge (2), skipper Sophie Fagan-Gaines and Olivia Clayburn. Manager’s Player of the match was awarded to Diane “Dee” Rutherford.

Athletico were at home to Kinsley for the day’s only County Third game.

Kinsley are a good team and are no pushovers, but Athletico were always on top for a comfortable win. Goal scorers in the 6–0 victory were Megan Sparkes, Rimshah Amin (3), Sadyha Akhtar and captain Ikra Ali.

Looking ahead, the League Cup quarterfinals will take place on 5 March, with Brighouse Sports at Sherburn and Skipton Town Firsts at Lower Hopton. The League Shield quarterfinals are also scheduled for the same day.

Bradford (Park Avenue) were away to Sheffield Wednesday for a Regional Northeast League match.

With fellow strugglers Sheffield United Community having had their match called off, both teams were hoping to move away from the bottom of the NERWFL Southern Division.

The Owls’ opener just five minutes in showed the hosts meant business, with two further goals before the break.

Shortly after the re-start there was a wobble for the hosts as Bradford’s Bethany Vickers got one back, but there two more Wednesday goals before a late consolation for Millie West. The 5–2 loss sees Avenue two points adrift at the foot of the table.

Unfortunately Avenue are without a game this coming Sunday. However there is a full programme of local football, with some eagerly-anticipated return fixtures and revised fixture lists.

In the WRCWFL, Tyersal host Republica Internationale at Arkwright Street, and there are two local derbies. Ilkley Town entertain Silsden, and Field AFC Ladies entertain Bradford City’s u21s. Meanwhile Bradford City’s First Team play Stockport County at Horsfall, and City’s u23s play Huddersfield Town Reserves at Woodhouse Grove.