BRADFORD City won a remarkable Women’s FA Cup tie 4-3 at home to Farsley Celtic on Sunday afternoon.

The Bantams were favourites to win the second qualifying round clash against their West Yorkshire rivals, and were looking comfortable when they moved into a 2-0 lead just after the half-hour mark.

But the underdogs hit back superbly, scoring three goals in 15 minutes either side of the break to turn the game on its head.

City levelled the scores up with just under 20 minutes to go, and a defensive mix-up allowed the hosts to net a late winner.

Sunday’s game took place at Carlton Bolling College rather than Horsfall, but the Bantams quickly got used to their unusual “home” surroundings.

After starting to get on top, they took a deserved lead on the quarter-hour mark, when young Matilda Fernie turned her marker in the box and smashed the ball home with her left foot.

That was her first goal for the club and she seemed inspired by that, continuing to drive City forward.

And after Rebecca Hunt went close to doubling the home advantage, the Bantams did move 2-0 in front.

Mia Jacobs was quickest to react after Hunt struck the crossbar, as she nodded in the rebound.

Mia Jacobs (centre) looked to have put the Bantams in control when she doubled their lead on Sunday.Mia Jacobs (centre) looked to have put the Bantams in control when she doubled their lead on Sunday. (Image: Alex Daniel.)

But Farsley halved the deficit with an excellent free-kick, which came about after a foul by City’s Megan Long.

And the Celts levelled the scores a minute before the break, with a quick counter-attack down the left followed by a fierce strike into the bottom right corner that beat Bantams stopper Tiffany Whelan all ends up.

City came close to retaking the lead at the start of the second half through Hannah Markey and Maria McKenna, but it was Farsley who hit the front on 51 minutes.

A looping effort from outside the box was agonisingly out of Whelan’s reach and found the top right corner.

Markey had a shot saved and Charlie Blythe’s effort skidded just wide, before City finally managed to equalise.

Zoe Laughton got in down the right and fired a low effort in at the near post to bring her side level.

And the Bantams went ahead with 10 minutes to go, when Jacobs capitalised on a defensive mix up to nick the ball back in a dangerous position on the right.

She put in a cross to Markey, who headed the ball into the bottom left corner to complete the late turnaround.

Markey almost added a late fifth goal, but she blazed the ball over the bar after being fed by Jacobs, but it did not matter, as City booked a third qualifying round tie at Chesterfield Ladies on Sunday, October 13.

Chesterfield are members of the East Midlands Women’s Premier Division, so like City, play at Step 5 of the women’s pyramid.