OUR West Riding County League Premier Division teams were all in action, with mixed results.

Wyke Wanderers were at home to promoted Ilkley Town, with both teams hoping to improve on their previous weekend’s drawn games.

Wyke displayed a solid display of defensive shape and attacking prowess, with good play from Nat Bell. Well-taken goals from Lois Cooper and a Jade Nelson ‘special’ put a strong and organised Wyke 2–0 ahead at the break.

The second half saw Cooper complete her brace from a corner, and Ilkley with a consolation goal from Millie Dawson. Ilkley’s Player-of-the-match was Jess Begbie. Wyke dug deep for 90 minutes and stuck to their game plan to deservedly win 3–1, and secure their first three important points of this season.

Silsden Juniors were back at home after a three‐week break due to postponements, as they took on promoted Farsley Celtic.

The first half saw chances for both teams, but no goals until 40’, when Silsden took the lead with an audacious lob from Corina Riley that flew into the net. The second half saw more chances for both teams, and on 65’, Farsley were level after Beth Senior scored her first goal for the Celts. As the clock ran down, both teams were searching for a winner.

With just one minute to go, Farsley’s Amyleigh Pearce hit a delicious cross for Ellie Butterworth to tuck it away, and score on her début, to record a 2–1 win.

League leaders Skipton were away at Sherburn White Rose.

Both teams were eager to get a result, with Skipton hoping to hang on to their three-point lead at the top, and Sherburn hoping to bounce back after back-to-back defeats.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t Skipton’s day, as they went down 4–0 to White Rose.

Ilkley Town Development’s game in Division Four the previous weekend had seen them make a positive and quick start, with a goal from Kate Priestley. But a tough and resilient Halifax Friendly grew into the game, taking full advantage of their opportunities to win 4–1, including a Tiegan Rowley brace.

Last weekend, Ilkley Devs entertained Leeds Hyde Park’s second string in another even contest.

On the quarter-hour mark, Freya Power scored from the edge of the box, to give the ‘Baht-Bonnets’ a 1–0 advantage at the break. On 75’, Ilkley struck again with Chloë Hainsworth's long-range effort that left the visitors’ ’keeper with no chance. Hyde Park kept pushing to get back in the game, but it remained 2-0 to Ilkley at the end. Manager Steve Orchard commented: “Another really competitive match against a well-drilled and organised team. Two wonderful long shots and hard work were the difference in a tight game.”

Many of the local teams were involved in the West Riding County League Cup Determining Round that sees the winner through to Round 2, and the losing team dropping down to the Shield competition.

Tyersal played an entertaining game at home to Batley.

A determined Tyersal played some really good football to post a 6–1 win, featuring a Lauren Burnett hat-trick, an Hayley Robinson brace, plus one from Jess Matthews.

Eccleshill United were away to Ackworth, who play two levels higher in Division One.

Within the first minute, Keegan Lambert had smashed the ball home to put the visitors ahead, and twenty minutes later had made it 2–0. The Eagles’ back four of Nikki Relton, Demi Wisher, new signing Jade Foster and Millie Fletcher coped admirably with the Ackworth attack. On 50’, Demi Pringle put away an unstoppable free-kick, then sustained Ackworth pressure resulted in them getting one back. The scoring was completed with a Falone Sumaili penalty to make it 4–1 to Eccleshill.

Round-of-32, to be played 3rd November (selected): Boroughbridge v Tyersal, Bradford City u23 v Farsley Celtic, Eccleshill v Skipton, Goole v Thackley, Huddersfield Amateur v Forge Way, Ilkley v Crofton, Route One v Kellingley, Silsden v Leeds Hyde Park and Wyke v Brighouse Town.

Halifax FC were at FA National League leaders Nottingham Forest, and it was not really helped by conceding an own-goal to trail 3–0 at the break, with the game ending in an 8–0 defeat.

The previous week, Halifax were in the FA Premier League Plate 1st Round, against Notts County at Post Office Road.

On 25’, Chan. Gallagher put the Halifax ahead, but on 39’ an unexpected long-range effort found the back of the net. However, just before half time, the Eagles were back in front as Minnie Wilson scored off a free kick. There were no further goals, so Halifax host Loughborough Lightning in the next round, to be played 20th October.

Before that, Halifax have a Premier Division clash against Burnley this Sunday, with a 3 o’clock kick off at Horsfall.

In Division 1, Leeds United were away at Cheadle Town, where a Kath Smith brace put the visitors two goals to the good at the break. Despite a spirited second half display from the hosts, Amy Woodruff’s finish on the hour mark proved to be the difference in Cheshire, as the Whites’ 3–2 win sees them currently at second place.

Leeds had a League Cup game away to Middlesbrough, but it was the end of the road for the Whites after Boro scored in each half to secure progression into the next round.

In this weekend’s FA Cup matches, Bradford City are at Chesterfield, Huddersfield Town take on league rivals Barnsley FC, Leeds Mods entertain Norton & Stockton, and Leeds United play Mancunian Unity at Whitebank Road.

Last month, Huddersfield Town played Barnsley FC in a mid-week match at home.

On 29’, the deadlock was broken, courtesy of a Charlotte Stuart wonder-strike, receiving the ball in the middle of the park before picking out the far-left corner from around 35 yards, to give the goalkeeper little chance of getting near the effort. Just short of the hour-mark somewhat against the run of play Betty Cheetham rose highest in the area following a corner to pull the contest back level. The closing stages saw little action between the two outfits, as the sides eventually settled for an even result.

In their League Cup tie at home to Hull City, Huddersfield were all-square at 1–1 at the break. Despite a flurry of late corners, Town were unable to produce an end product from their final efforts and were forced to settle for a 3–1 loss, seeing their FAWNL cup run come to an unfortunate close.

In their latest game at Durham Cestria, Stuart’s emphatic finish on 20’ gave Town the lead, volleying the ball home off Ria Montgomery’s cross into the box. But on 28’, the hosts were able to find the net through Daisy Clarke. On 70’, Leah Embley put Town back in the lead from the back post, then confidently dispatched a penalty into the bottom left corner. On 90’, Durham found a consolation, but it was Town who won it 3–2.