OUR local women’s football teams were involved in a full West Riding County League programme, with mixed results.

In the County Premier, Wyke Wanderers were on the road, away to Sherburn White Rose, with both teams eager to pick up another three points.

Wyke were forced to change their style of play to adapt to a difficult pitch at Finkle Hill, and, with no regular goalkeeper available on the day, squad player Emma Thompson stepped up, and put in a solid performance between the sticks.

The first half finished 1–1. However Wyke dug deep in a heated second half, utilising some fantastic hold-up play from Lois Cooper to punish Sherburn 4–2. Player-of-the-match was Bethany Vickers, and goals came from Millie West (2), Cooper and Kirsty Russell-Holt.

County Premier leaders Skipton Town hosted near-neighbours Silsden Juniors at Sandylands.

In a close game, Ella McCamon scored either side of the break, to give Silsden a deserved win.

Farsley Celtic struggled to get going, away to Morley Town, and had a narrow 1–0 lead at half time, after Shirley Murphy's early goal. But they went on to win 4–1, and take over at the top of the table.

Ilkley Town faced a difficult away fixture at third-place Harrogate Railway.

For the first 20 minutes, Railway dominated, deservedly taking a 1–0 lead. Then it all changed, as Ilkley won every ball, their passing and moving causing Rail's midfield and defence all kinds of issues. Goals from Izzy Armstrong, Alice Atkinson and Jess Begbie gave Ilkley a 3–1 lead at the break. Taylor Orchard added another for Ilkley, but for the last 20 minutes Railway were again causing Ilkley issues. Railway pressed, and before you knew it, had pulled two back with three minutes to go. Ilkley withstood the onslaught of free kicks, three back-to-back corners, and a goalmouth scramble for a hard-fought 4–3 win.

Thackley remain top of Division One, after Chelsea Morton topped off the scoring in their 8–0 victory over Brayton Belles.

Next week’s opponents Knaresborough Town remain second, with Golcar United moving up to third after a 5–1 win against Bradford City’s u23s.

Route One Rovers went into the weekend’s fixture at unbeaten Horsforth St Margaret’s as Division Two leaders, but a lapse in concentration for the first twenty minutes saw them behind. There was good play from Player-of-the-match Taibah Akhtar, but it was a 9–0 loss on the day.

Burley Trojans moved up to second place after a good 10–0 win with clinical finishing against a spirited Skipton Development side who kept going to the end, and massive credit to them for the way they continued to go about things despite the scoreline. On target were Becky Clark (3), Heather Fisher (4), Neeley Murrell and Ash Butler (2).

Queensbury Celtic travelled up to Harrogate Railway Reserves for a Division Three match.

An energetic Harrogate side cut through well and finished strongly. It was a tough day at the office for Queensbury as they just couldn’t get the ball moving in the way they wanted. The Player-of-the-match was Sanaa Bashir. Railway did struggle to keep a clean sheet in the second half, but took a 7–0 win.

This Sunday’s County Premier games include: Ilkley v Forge Way, Medics v Farsley, Morley v Skipton, Silsden v Sherburn and Wyke v Railway, with the following teams also at home: Bradford City u23s, Brighouse Sports, Forge Way Reserves, Route One, Salts and Tyersal.

Please note that Halifax’ FA National League Plate match against Loughborough Lightning has been switched to Tadcaster.

Elsewhere, Leeds United were involved in an FA Cup qualifying round tie, away to Regional League side Mancunian Unity.

Leeds went ahead through a Kath Smith penalty on 7’, but on 25’, Mancunian winger Sadie Mitchell finished confidently into the far corner beyond Carrie Simpson. The second half saw many chances for the Whites, but Unity scored two more to go through 3–1.

Neighbours Leeds Modernians were hoping to emulate last season’s excellent cup run, as they welcomed FA National League side Norton & Stockton Ancients to Cookridge Lane.

Mods have a few familiar faces in their squad, including new signings Sadyha Akhtar, Katie Bailey and Gabby Whitham.

Mods had a good start, going 2–0 up through Sadyha Akhtar and skipper Bethan Barkley. But the visitors fought back to lead 5–2 at the break. Both sides battled to increase their tally, but there was only one more goal, scored by Aimee Myers on 73’, as Mods went out 5–3.

First Round draw (selected): Huddersfield Town v Nantwich, Preston North End v Bradford City and South Shields v Halifax FC. Ties to be played 3rd November.