BRADFORD City Women enjoyed their Yorkshire derby at Harrogate Town on Sunday, talented forward Mia Jacobs in particular.
The teenager bagged a hat-trick, while a late own goal sealed a 4-0 win for the Bantams in this North East Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division clash.
City pinned Harrogate back immediately, Aaliyah Nolan and Jacobs both going close inside the opening five minutes.
Maria McKenna should have put the Bantams ahead soon after, but she fluffed a golden opportunity after Jacobs’ shot was parried out to her.
Hannah Markey had two shots in quick succession for City, with one saved and the other flashing inches wide.
Skipper Monika Stube was next to go close with an effort off target before Jacobs finally powered City into the lead, slamming home Nolan’s lay off after a fine ball over the top from Charlotte Sales.
It was the cherry on top of a fine first half from Sales, who stood out for City at the back on the odd occasions Harrogate did threaten in attack.
Markey had a claim waved away for a penalty early in the second half, but the Bantams soon doubled their lead anyway after great work from young Matilda Fernie.
She forced a spot of pinball in the Harrogate box and Jacobs was on hand to poke home her second goal of the game.
A defensive error from Markey almost let the home side in to score, but they could only shoot against the side netting.
She more than made up for that when she combined with Nolan to set up Jacobs for the latter’s hat-trick just after the hour mark.
Shots were flying in from City thereafter, with Markey and Jacobs both crashing efforts off-target.
Katie Breckin came close late on, before Markey’s ball across the face of goal was somehow missed by everyone in the middle.
The Bantams did get a fourth goal at the death however, with a Harrogate player inadvertently turning Charlie Blythe’s corner into her own net.
The win takes City up to fifth, and they could go as high as second if they beat Wallsend up in the North East this Sunday.
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