Our local women’s football teams have another couple of weeks of friendlies before their season proper starts on 1st September.

Wyke Wanderers, who are at Silsden this Sunday, continued their strong pre-season form with a commanding 6–2 victory over Route One Rovers.

Orla Durkin was a stand-out player, smashing home a sensational hat-trick, showcasing why she will be a key player for Wyke this upcoming season. Demi Molinari also had a solid performance, earning Player-of-the-match after controlling the game in mid-field.

The win was a result of a solid team effort, with every player contributing to the dominant performance. This momentum will be key for Wyke, as they continue to prepare for their next month’s games,  commencing with the First Round Qualifying of the FA Cup, when they play fellow Premier Division participants Morley Town at Wyke Community Sports Village, with the winners at home to Sheffield FC in the Second Round Qualifying.

In other FA Cup matches on 1st September, Silsden entertain Accrington Stanley, Forge Way play Cleethorpes Town at Batley, and Skipton Town are away to Runcorn Linnets.

Bradford City will join at the Second Qualifying Round stage, as they welcome the winners of the tie between Farsley Celtic and Sheffield United Community Foundation, this latter being played at a venue to be arranged due to upgrade of their regular ground, the Citadel.

Ilkley Town, who are playing in the FA Cup for the very-first time, have received a bye to the Second Qualifying Round, and host Regional Premier side Chesterfield Ladies on 22nd September.

Ilkley Town’s two teams were involved in two very competitive fixtures at Ben Rhydding.

The Development side were involved in a five-goal thriller against Skipton Town Development.   Ilkley Devs’ goalscorers in the 3–2 win were Jess Begbie (2) & Ellen Kennedy.

The second game saw the Firsts losing 5–3 to Leeds Medics and Dentists, with Millie Dawson (2) and Taylor Orchard on target. On Sunday,  Ilkley Firsts host Knaresborough Town, and the devs are at Salts, before another double-bill on Thursday at home to Harrogate Town.

Queensbury Celtic, who are at Tyersal this Sunday, had a useful run-out away to Huddersfield Amateur Reserves in unreasonably hot conditions at Old Earth.

An end-to-end thriller really tested fitness levels for both sides.  Emily Lazenby added two goals to her tally, with good play from Olivia Fraser.  Evie White made a great save from the spot to cap off a strong performance.

Farsley Celtic were 1–0 down at Regional League side Ossett United, before skipper Lauren Rigby equalised just before the break. Substitute Shirley Murphy scored two second-half goals to give the Celts a 3–1 win.

Celtic were 2–0 up at half time at Huddersfield Amateur in a mid-week match, Millie Washington scoring a first-half brace. Amateurs did get one back, but Murphy once again made it 3–1 to Celtic.

Halifax FC commence their FA National League fixtures on Sunday.  Rugby Borough are the first visitors to their new home of Horsfall Stadium, with a 3 pm kick-off