Bradford City Women lose narrowly at Ponteland United

They won their opener 3-2 against fellow title hopefuls Wallsend at Horsfall Stadium a fortnight ago, thanks to a last-minute winner by Hannah Markey.

But the shoe was on the other foot on Sunday, as they slid to a late 1-0 defeat at Ponteland United.

The Bantams started the game brightly, their first chance coming when skipper Monika Stube forced a save out of the home stopper, and Mia Jacobs failed to get the power she needed on the rebound.

Ponteland almost caught City out after the visitors engaged in some risky passing out of the back, but keeper Laura Wilson was able to safely repel any danger.

Markey then shot wide on the turn for the visitors before the home side started to grow into the game.

Hannah Markey was hoping to build on scoring the winner on the opening day of the season. (Image: Alex Daniel.)

Rebecca Hunt and Meg Long were doing a great job defensively for City, but Ponteland breached their defence shortly before half-time, only for Wilson to make a superb save from a fierce driven effort after the hosts got in down the right.

The Bantams keeper had to be called upon twice more late in the first half, bailing out Hollie Barraclough and Matilda Fernie following their defensive errors.

Barraclough made up for that mistake just after the break, producing a stunning last-ditch tackle to stop Ponteland opening the scoring.

Then the superb Wilson was at it again, somehow making a save from point-blank range on 54 minutes.

Jacobs almost opened the scoring for the visitors instead midway through the second half, but her curling effort from the edge of the box towards the top right corner was expertly turned behind.

City were beginning to get back on top, Markey’s corner almost flying straight in and Jacobs seeing a long-range rocket well saved.

But it was Ponteland who claimed the three points by netting the only goal of the game on 86 minutes.

The Bantams’ backline was carved open and this time the hosts made no mistake, finally finding a way past player-of-the-match Wilson to score and go top of the league in the process.

City now must lick their wounds and instead try to win their third game of the season, which is at home to Farsley Celtic in the Women’s FA Cup second qualifying round this Sunday.