The women’s football programme was not surprisingly decimated by the weekend’s weather, but a few games did go ahead.

Route One Rovers took part in the 11-a-side Afghan Women’s Team Tournament, organised by Girl Power, at Stadium Road, Doncaster.

The group stages saw wins against Republica Internationale and FURD, followed by an incredibly tight 0–0 draw against Afghanistan, meaning Route One were in the final, and a re-match against Afghanistan.

Their opponents are made up of members of the Afghan National Team Development Squad, who have found refuge in the UK, after their freedom and safety were threatened under the present administration.

In the final, Route One fought well throughout the game, with the deadlock broken with just three minutes remaining. An Ikra Ali free-kick from 30 yards out found its target, as Route One saw the game out to take the trophy.

In the West Riding County League Premier Division, Wyke Wanderers were away to second-place Farsley Celtic, who are currently playing all their games at Castleford Academy.

Both teams had good wins the previous week, Wyke won 4–1 at Morley, and Farsley beat Forge Way 13–2.

The first half had many chances for both sides but the first goal came five minutes before the break, when an amazing strike from the Celts’ Shirley Murphy curled into the top corner. However a quick-fire response from the Wanderers’ Millie West restored parity. The half was not without further incident, as a red card and a “sin bin” reduced Wyke to nine players for the last few minutes of a fiesty first half .

Despite this set-back, Wyke retained their shape, limiting Farsley’s chances in the second half. Wyke continued to work hard, and on 55’, Lois Cooper hit a speculative ball over the top that was not dealt with, and against the odds, Wyke were in the lead. Not long after, Farsley’s Leigh Bamford was forced to make a good save from close-range. The drama didn’t end there, as another red card saw Wyke again down to nine “men” for the remainder of the half, with Player-of-the-match Annie Roberts continuing to pull off some astonishing saves. A performance full of grit, determination and resilience saw Wyke up to third in the League.

Skipton were at home to Forge Way. Despite two well-taken Harriet Persson goals, Forge Way came back into the game in the second half and the points were shared.

Bradford City U23s were expecting a close Division One game at home to Leeds Hyde Park, having drawn 1–1 earlier in the season.

The first half saw early attacks from a competitive, hungry Bradford side, but City’s tricky, quick players were kept at bay with confident midfield play. Hyde Park had a few shots on goals and many balls played into threatening places but kept out. On 37’, the visitors’ striker scored from 20 yards out, giving Bradford some fire, testing the ’keeper with some close corners, but unable to get a shot in.

The second half saw Hyde Park’s Lizzie Freeney having several chances, then on 62’ going round several opponents into the box, slotting into a corner. Shortly after, the visitors’ ’keeper pulled off an amazing finger-tip save. However, Bradford substitute Arooba Khan got a goal back from intercepting a goal-kick, drilling hard and low off of the post. A last-minute corner saw a Bradford player get her head on it near post, but Hyde Park took the points after a close 2–1 result.

Burley Trojans were also expecting a close game away to Rangers Athletic, but a crazy five minutes saw them surprisingly losing to their dominant hosts 4–0 at half time. Troggs had a spirited second half, scoring through Becky Clark, but the hosts added a fifth to take the points in Division Two’s only game.

Eldwick Lionesses had secured a good 9–0 win a few weeks ago in their Division 5A match at Headingley United, but had a few key players missing for the home game the weekend before last.

Georgina Webb scored in the 28th minute, before Headingley scored with their first shot of the game. Webb achieved her hat-trick with goals either side of half time, but a lack of concentration resulted in Headingley scoring their second. Eldwick, however, remained calm, with good play from wingers Charlotte Richardson and Alice Bealey, and midfielder Sydney Drake. With ten minutes to go, goals from Amelia Wharton and Charmaine Webster-Ramsden sealed the deal for a 5–2 win.

Last weekend was Eldwick’s toughest match of the season so far, as they met divisional leaders Sherburn White Rose Development in a crucial, well-supported game at Marley.

Eldwick kicked off full of energy, but it was all Sherburn for the first 20 minutes. However, Eldwick then found their groove, and the game felt more-even in a goal-less first half.

In the second half, Sherburn, against the run of play, were first to score. But it didn’t take long for Jess. Murphy to equalise on 69’. Again, against the run of play, Sherburn scored. Eldwick refused to be beaten, and on 88’, Charmaine Webster-Ramsden scored. In the dying seconds, Sherburn had a great attempt on goal, but Coaches’ Player-of-the-match Keira Barraclough pulled off the save of the game to keep it level at 2–2.

Eldwick are one of several teams involved in the WRCWFL Shield Preliminary Round this Sunday (selected ties): Brighouse Sports v Rangers Athletic; Crossley Whites v Eldwick; Huddersfield Amateur Reserves v Headingley; Hyde Park Seconds v Ilkley Development; Salts v HSM Reserves and Sherburn Development v City’s u23s.

Elsewhere, Huddersfield Town were in the FA Cup 2nd Round at Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium.

The first quarter-hour was fairly-even. However, on 18’, Kate Mallin floated over a corner, enabling Charlotte Stuart’s header. ’Keeper Kacey Bolton-Woollam remained focused, diving to her right to keep a low Ocean Flanagan effort out just before the break.

On 62’, Yas. Mason’s shot was blocked, the rebound setting up Stuart’s second. Stanley’s Niamh Corrigan came close twice before racing in on goal and sliding the ball home, with just 15 minutes to go. Town defended well to see out a nervy last few minutes, as they go through to a 3rd-round tie away to former League opponents Sunderland on 8th December, at Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground.

Bradford City’s postponed 2nd Round match away to Burnley is scheduled for this Sunday at Leyland, the winners being away in the next round.

Bradford footballer Mia Enderby was in action for Liverpool in a WSL Cup group game, away to Newcastle United at Brunton Road.

A wicked assist and two clinical goals from Enderby helped the Reds to a 6–1 victory.

Midfielder Molly-Mae Sharpe was also involved in a WSL Cup game, as Crystal Palace beat Charlton Athletic 2–0 in the south London derby at Gander Green Lane.