Bradford City Women impressively beat Sunderland West End

It moves the Bantams up to seventh in the North East Women’s Regional Football League Premier Division ahead of their mouthwatering Women’s FA Cup first round tie at Preston North End this weekend.

Given West End were unbeaten in their opening four league games, Sunday’s result marked the high point of City’s season so far.

After an even start, the Bantams blew their shellshocked hosts away with three goals in eight minutes.

Hannah Markey slammed a strike into the bottom left corner to put City 1-0 up midway through the first half, before her team-mate Mia Jacobs immediately forced a great save from Summer Sawyer.

But Sunderland stopper Sawyer could not keep out Jacobs moments later, as a great ball out from the back by Charlotte Blythe eventually found its way to the talented teen, as she doubled the away side’s lead.

Another youngster extended City’s lead on the half-hour mark, with Matilda Fernie’s corner going straight into the net after the despairing Sawyer misjudged the flight of the ball.

Tiffany Whelan kept out Allison Ferris’ header as Sunderland tried to hit back, before Markey struck an effort just off target on the bobbly pitch.

West End did score before half-time, Isla Maggs converting from the penalty spot after Charlotte Sales’ last-ditch tackle was deemed to be a foul.

But City went into the break 4-1 in front, as Markey reacted quickest to her own header beating Sunderland’s defensive line, retrieving the ball and finding the bottom left corner from just outside the box.

Hannah Markey ran the Sunderland West End defence ragged in the first half, and she was not done there either. (Image: Max Lomas.)

Markey came close to completing her hat-trick early in the second half, only for Sawyer to tip her effort over the crossbar.

And she did earn the matchball on the hour mark, heading a cross beyond Sawyer from close range.

Whelan made a stunning save to keep out Ferris’ long range strikes, but she was beaten moments later when her team-mates switched off from a West End free kick, allowing Maggs to get through and score.

Suddenly, City were wobbling, and Maggs reacted quickest to a hopeful ball into the box midway through the second half, steering it beyond Whelan to make the score 5-3.

But the Bantams regained their composure thereafter, netting a sixth goal to make the game safe with seven minutes to go.

Captain Monika Stube was the scorer, turning home the rebound after Sawyer had saved well from Jacobs.