Wyke Wanderers Ladies have had a good start to their pre-season, with good wins against Forge Way and Eccleshill United.

Forge Way are known to Wyke, and previous games, when they were known as Bradford (Park Avenue) and Farsley Juniors, have been close.

However, Eccleshill United were an unknown quantity, after a managerial change has seen a departure of players joining their former manager’s new team.

A competitive first half against Forge Way was fairly-even, a goal for Wyke from guest player Ikra Ali the difference between the teams. The South Bradford side took control with a 4–1 win that featured a spectacular Lois Cooper hat-trick.

Wyke sealed their second pre-season fixture away at Eccleshill, in a great team performance all round. Megan Dunlop, whose deadly left foot put away four, was named Player of the match. In the 12–2 win, the Cooper-Dunlop partnership was responsible for nine of those goals, with other goals from Sophie Mitchell (2) and Orla Durkin.

Wyke Wanderers Ladies actually made their first appearance as one of 20 teams taking part in this year’s Halifax Friendly FC Tournament, with proceeds benefitting Overgate Hospice’ new project.

An unbeaten start saw Wyke going through as group winners, going out in the semi-finals to Tournament Cup winners Brighouse Town Juniors.

Queensbury Celtic were in action at home to Crossley Belles, but it was an 8–2 loss on the day.

Tyersal Ladies didn’t have a game last weekend but they weren’t taking it easy, as they were taking part in the Three Peaks challenge, as they’re hoping to raise funds for training equipment to help them through the new season, further details on sum-up at: https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/Q6XAYRQ9.

Ilkley Town Ladies’ first team opened their pre-season at home to Lancashire County side Colne, in what was a really-competitive and entertaining game. A 2–0 win saw Izzy Armstrong with two second-half goals.

Ilkley’s two teams played a double-bill against their Skipton counterparts at Ben Rhydding, with all four teams putting in a brilliant effort in what were incredibly hot temperatures and challenging conditions!

Izzy Wilks was on target for the devs in a 1–0 win, and Millie Dawson, Millie Washington (2) & Chloë Hodge with the goals for the firsts in their 4–1 win.

Pre-season friendlies (selected) — 4th August: Doncaster v. Leeds United (Julie Chipchase Trophy); Ilkley Devs v. Dewsbury Moor; Queensbury v. Crofton; Salts v. Halifax Friendly; Skipton v. Knaresborough; Wyke v. Altofts. 11th August: Harrogate Railway v. Skipton; Huddersfield Amateur Reserves v. Queensbury; Ilkley v. Leeds Medics; Wyke v. Route One. 14th August: Skipton Devs v. Burley (7 pm). 18th August: Ilkley v. Knaresborough; Ilkley Devs v. Salts; Leeds Mods v. Skipton (double-bill); Silsden v. Wyke; Tyersal v. Queensbury. 22nd August: Ilkley v. Harrogate Town (double-bill).

Looking ahead, FA National sides Halifax FC and Leeds United will meet in the Determining Round of their League Cup on 28th August at Horsfall. The Whites have recently signed two of the Eagles’ squad, Drew Greene and Shauna Legge.

A few days later, Bradford City Women open their Northeast Regional League season against Wallsend BC on 1st September at the same venue.

The West Riding County League have finalised their divisions for the new season.

Thackley Ladies, who have been very busy in the transfer market, will join Division One, alongside Bradford City’s u23s, but, in a change to the predicted line-up, Brighouse Sports drop down to Division Two.

Most other changes are as reported recently, with Queensbury Celtic amongst three teams relegated to Division Three, and Tyersal dropping down to a largely-unchanged Division Four.

The new WRCWFL line-up this coming season will contain some familiar names from the recent past. Batley, Lepton Highlanders, Ripon City, Ryburn United and Salts are all fielding open-age sides in the new Division Five that will run as 5A & 5B, each containing nine teams.

Local footballer Mia Enderby was deservedly in the starting line-up for the final group game of the U19 Championship in Lithuania. England’s 1–0 win against France saw them top the group and proceed to the semi-final stage.

Unfortunately England U19s were losing 2–0 at half time in their semi-final against Spain. England changed shape with two half-time substitutions and within a couple of minutes had one back as substitute Mia Enderby produced a fine finish. But Spain scored another to win the tie 3–1, going through to the final against the Netherlands.

Spain went on to win 2–1 in extra time with only two minutes left on the clock.