Our local women’s football teams were back in West Riding County League action, with mixed results.

Wyke Wanderers were at Premier Division leaders Skipton.

The first half saw Wanderers with some very strong spells of possession, playing some very good football out from the back, limiting Skipton’s chances. But Skipton had the advantage at half time, after a good goal from Holly Morgan.

The second half was a much better display of what Wyke can do, eventually leading to a late equaliser from Lois Cooper, with Wyke feeling rather unlucky not to take all three points.

Second-place Ilkley Town faced a tricky tie at home to last season’s runners-up Leeds Medics & Dentists.

There wasn’t much action in the first half hour, with the deadlock broken on 37’ by the visitors. However, Medics’ lead didn’t last long, as Izzy Armstrong immediately equalised, but Medics got a second strike to lead at the break. Izzy Armstrong equalised again to share the points in a very entertaining game that featured good play from Player-of-the-match Mary Armstrong.

Farsley Celtic were at Sherburn White Rose, hoping to keep up with the leaders.

On 6’, Millie Washington took on the full back, went round her, and buried a tidily-struck effort into the back of the net. Sherburn managed to equalise on 24’, after a direct ball over the top was chased and finished by their striker. On 52’, Washington beat her marker on the left wing, sending a sweet delivery for Georgia Bull to tuck it away. The second half became more battling, but the Celts held on for the win.

This Sunday, there’s a full fixture list in the Premier Division, including: Morley Town v. Forge Way, Sherburn v. Skipton, Silsden v. Farsley Celtic and Wyke v. Ilkley, but other divisions are involved in the League Cup Preliminary Round.

Division One leaders Thackley were back in North Leeds to play second-place Leeds Hyde Park.

DennyGirls went 2–0 up before the quarter-hour mark. Paige Crosby delivered a perfect cross-field ball to Sophie Moulden who found the back of the net, then Demi Godson played a clever through ball to Molly Ellis, who fired into the near post. On 76’, Taylor Rushworth gave a looping through-ball, and Ellis ran onto the end of it, launching her shot into the roof of the net to make it 3–0 at final whistle.

Division Two leaders Route One were at home to Leeds City.

In a scrappy, physical first half, Leeds City took advantage of a lapse in concentration to lead 1–0 at the break. Versatile winger and Player-of-the-match Moskan Akbar got her team back on track with a solo run to lob the keeper. Leeds City broke down many of Rovers’ attacks. However, with one minute to go, Alishba Khan sent a perfectly-weighted through ball to Isma Ahmed, who lobbed the keeper to give Route One a 2–1 win.

Burley Trojans put in a good performance at home to a hard-working Field team.

Chicolle Dean, Becky Clark and Liv Boardman were on target for Troggs, as they took a 3–2 lead into the break. Field’s keeper Emily McKinley and defender Jess Davies had a good game, but the visitors were unable to score in the second half. Troggs rattled the woodwork a few times. However a goal from Neeley Murrell and a worldy from Boardman finished the game off at 5–2.

Queensbury Celtic were able to name a full squad, including new signing Gemma Osborne on the bench, for their key Division Three clash at home to Crofton Sports.

Queensbury had a good start to a tightly-fought first half, Emily Uttley scoring after 7 minutes. Crofton responded with goals either side of the break to take a temporary lead, however Queensbury dominated the remainder of the match to finish as deserved 5–2 winners, including a brace from Player-of-the-match Jess Skelding.

This Sunday, Ilkley Town’s Development side are at home to Leeds Hyde Park’s second string.

The previous Division Four encounter between the teams was a nail-biting battle in a downpour.

The first 10’ saw relentless pressure in attack from Ilkley, with Hyde Park keeping 'em out with many great clearances from the entire back line. Ilkley opened the scoreline. LHP started to settle into the game with some great long balls but Ilkley come back with quick counter-attacks. A shot from distance bounced off the keeper, with a tap-in making it all-square at half time. The first two minutes saw Ilkley scoring again, but there was another equaliser. Ilkley bagged another from their left wing but there was another equaliser. A long ball from the Ilkley keeper up to their number 12 lead to another goal. A great game that could have gone either way finished 4–3 to Ilkley, with goals from Alice Atkinson (2), Evie Woolford and Freya Power.

In Division 5A, Eldwick Lionesses faced a tough game at unbeaten Horsforth St Margaret’s Reserves.

Both teams started strongly, and, on 10’, Horsforth took the lead. Eldwick played well, and on 25’, Jessica Murphy got them level, and that’s how it stayed until the break. Horsforth were determined to force a hole through the Eldwick back line. Eldwick put in some outstanding defensive work, but a free-kick award led to Horsforth taking the lead. Eldwick started to apply the pressure, battering the Horsforth defence, with Horsforth’s goalkeeper saving some incredible attempts and a crossbar deflection. On 77’, Player-of-the-match Murphy managed to penetrate their defence to score her second of the game. Unfortunately, Horsforth just had the edge over a tiring Eldwick team and scored a late goal to break Eldwick's hearts, with the final score Horsforth 3–2 Eldwick.