Bradford City Women have kicked off their new season in style, beating Wallsend B.C. 3-2 in a thrilling encounter.

It is a feather in the cap of the female Bantams, given they are currently without a manager following the popular Emily Senior’s decision to step down from the role two weeks ago.

Though Barnsley were the only side to go up, as champions, from the North East Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division last season, both City and Wallsend were in the hunt for the title.

That meant this felt like an opening-day showdown between two genuine promotion contenders, and City got off to a wonderful start at Horsfall on Sunday.

They immediately responded after their debutant keeper Paige Harris made a wonderful save to keep out Wallsend’s Chloe Mark, and hit the front in the opening 10 minutes.

It was another City player on her debut, Annabel Rowe, who found the net, curling a beautiful effort beyond Jenny Blench in the visiting goal.

But Rowe’s afternoon was over after only 19 minutes, as she limped off with an injury.

City were nearly rocked further a few moments later, but Harris bailed them out with a superb save from close range to keep out Wallsend’s Erin Donachie.

The Bantams should have doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark, only for Blench to produce a great stop to keep out Maria McKenna in a one-on-one.

Mia Jacobs cut in and forced another good save out of Blench, before Wallsend equalised five minutes before half-time.

Poor Harris made a great save from Donachie but Jess Barker was on hand to turn home the rebound.

Wallsend were on top either side of half-time, with Megan Long and Hollie Barraclough having to produce some excellent defending to keep the visitors out.

Charlie Ramsden then came close with a deflected effort for the Bantams, and they began to wrestle back some control.

Blench had to be at her best to keep out Jacobs and Hannah Markey, before the latter struck a looping effort which landed on top of the net.

Jacobs slotted City in front with 12 minutes to go, slotting beyond Blench and into the bottom left corner from the right hand side of the box.

Mia Jacobs grew into the game as it wore on, and scored a crucial second goal for the Bantams.Mia Jacobs grew into the game as it wore on, and scored a crucial second goal for the Bantams. (Image: Alex Daniel.)

But Wallsend quickly levelled for a second time in the match, substitute Laila Wallace bursting clear down the left and beating Harris at the near post.

Markey almost put the Bantams straight back in front, only for Blench to superbly keep out a free kick that looked destined for the top corner.

But Markey was not to be denied, and she grabbed City’s winner in the final minute.

Jacobs did brilliantly to dart past a couple of Wallsend challenges before sliding a pass into Markey, who took a touch before rifling a thunderous strike into the top left corner.