BRADFORD City Women have been in stunning form since the turn of the year, but they had their progress checked on Sunday.

Thankfully, that was not due to a shock defeat at Hull United, but instead because the game in East Yorkshire was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

It was a shame for City, who would have moved three points clear at the summit of the North East Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division with victory over their lowly hosts.

When the Bantams were thumped 4-1 at home to Barnsley in their final league game before the Christmas break, their hopes of immediate promotion back to the FA Women’s National League Division One North looked to be in tatters.

But a fortunate home walkover win over Harrogate Town at the start of January got some much needed points on the board, and from then on, Emily Senior’s side have been in sparkling form.

Since that Harrogate walkover, City have picked up 16 points from a possible 18, including magnificent wins over promotion rivals Spennymoor Town and South Shields.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Teenager Mia Jacobs (centre) scored both of the Bantams' goals in their magnificent 2-1 win at South Shields last month, and has been a key figure in City's rise to the summit.Teenager Mia Jacobs (centre) scored both of the Bantams' goals in their magnificent 2-1 win at South Shields last month, and has been a key figure in City's rise to the summit. (Image: Alex Daniel.)

But a sticky period just before Christmas might still come back to haunt them, in what is developing into an extraordinary title race.

The Bantams lead the way, but just one point separates them from Sunderland West End down in fifth, with sixth-placed Shields just three points off the summit themselves.

The biggest issue for City is that they have played 17 games, more than anyone else in the top six, and with only five league fixtures left for them, they probably have to win them all to have a chance of promotion.

Like the Bantams, Wallsend sit on 32 points, but they have only played 13 games, so are surely favourites for the title.

Third-placed Spennymoor have had 16 games so far, fourth-placed Barnsley have run out 15 times, while West End and Shields are on just 14 matches apiece.

City are in NERWFL League Cup third-round action at home to Altofts this Sunday, so will cede top spot in the table, given Barnsley and Sunderland West End play one another.

A draw for Spennymoor at home to South Shields would be enough for them to overtake the Bantams, while the visitors would go above City on goal difference with victory.

But Wallsend look the most likely to hit the summit this weekend, as they host eighth-placed Alnwick Juniors.