THERE was a slightly-reduced weekend’s women’s football programme after a morning rain shower caused some postponements but nevertheless there were some big games taking place.

Bradford (Park Avenue) were at home to Silsden Juniors, with both teams eager for a win. Bradford were hoping to better their position in the West Riding County Premier Division, after the previous weekend’s postponement, and Silsden wished to end their League agenda on a high.

Despite hitting the crossbar twice and the post, Avenue’s relentless attack kept Silsden on the back-foot in the first half.

Bradford showcased their dominance with a commanding performance, helped by Player-of-the-match Nat Bell, as they took a convincing 4–0 lead. However, Silsden rallied to turn the tide, with good play from Lola Cunningham, as they pushed for a come-back win, pulling three back through Gabby Whitham, Anna Fryers and Megan Gillibrand. While Park Avenue’s performance slightly waned in the second half, they maintained their composure and managed to secure the victory, and the final score of 5–3 featured goals from Lois Cooper, Megan Dunlop and Millie West.

Avenue move up to fifth in the League, as they look forward to the weekend’s semi-finals of the League Shield, when they travel to Dewsbury to meet Rangers Athletic at Oxford Road.

Silsden finish their season in eighth place, but they are still in the League Cup, with a semi-final against Sherburn White Rose this Sunday at Keighley Road.

Thackley have competed their fixtures for the season, with a 4–0 loss in mid-week at County FA Cup finalists Leeds Modernians.

Ilkley Town Juniors’ First Team went into their last game of the season knowing that a point would probably be enough to secure the First Division championship. The 7–1 win against Hall Green United saw Olivia Robertson gaining her first Player-of-the-match award, and Izzy Armstrong adding two more to her goal haul for the season (28), as the “Baht-Bonnets” celebrated their highest-ever finish.

Third-place Leeds Hyde Park, who have a game-in-hand over the top two, lost 2–1 to Golcar United, but could still have gained a top-two promotion place, as Farsley Celtic were needing a win in their mid-week game at home to Ackworth.

An early goal from Shirley Murphy set them on their way, and mid-way through the half, a cracking goal from Ebony Hartnett put the Celts 2–0 ahead at the break. Ackworth did try to get back in the game, but Leigh Bamford made some good saves and substitute Georgia Bull added another to make it a 3–0 win, the three points confirming their promotion to the Premier Division.

Burley Trojans entertained Second Division promotion candidates Knaresborough Town in a double-bill at the rec.

Game one saw Troggs 3–0 down at half time. The second half saw the hosts pushing forward, gaining in confidence, and eventually being rewarded with a Becky Clark goal. Town went down to ten for the last few minutes but held out for the 3–1 win.

Game two saw Troggs with an excellent defence-splitting pass followed by an emphatic finish from Heather Fisher, but some last-ditch defending and good goalkeeping skills preventing any further home goals and Burley lost the second game with an identical result.

In a tight Third Division, Field faced a far-from-easy fixture at Huddersfield Amateur Reserves.

The game got off to a quick start as Sarah Binns took a chance from distance and slotted the ball into the bottom corner for Huddersfield keeper Amy Jones to watch go in, much to her surprise. Just before half time, Field were awarded a free kick. Binns stepped up and Amelia Jackson ran onto the ball to fire it into the back of the net.

The second half saw both sides defending well, limiting opportunities, before Field’s captain Becky Teale scored twice to give a 4–0 lead. Huddersfield continued to put Field’s defence under pressure. With ten minutes to go, a powerful strike from the hosts’ Ataliah Chambers beat ’keeper Emily Mckinley after she got a hand to it. Teale completed her hat-trick as Field won 5–1 on the day.

Tyersal were away to Forge Way Reserves in a double-bill at Fall Park.

Game one saw Tyersal starting strongly, attacking downhill and earning a corner that Sophie Woodrup converted. Unfortunately Forge Way equalised soon after, and the second half was an uphill struggle for Tyersal (literally). Despite Tyersal’s efforts, Forge Way won 3–1.

Game two saw Tyersal again start assertively but fail to take their chances before fatigue set in and Forge Way won 5–0.

Forge Way Reserves won 3–1 at home to Leeds Hyde Park Seconds in mid-week but will be unable to finish above fourth as they have completed their fixtures.

Halifax FC are in the midst of a hectic run-in to the end of their season, as they have followed a 0–0 draw against FA National League Champions Newcastle United and a 2–1 win against third-place Nottingham Forest with a mid-week game against fourth-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Lucy Sowerby fired Halifax ahead from outside the area, to give them a half-time advantage at Ilkeston Town’s New Manor Ground.

Wolves equalised on the hour mark, as a corner was headed into her own net by Nicole Kemp at the near post. Two minutes later, substitute Georgia Stevens caught the Wolves’ ’keeper off her line, with an effort from the edge of the centre circle. The 2–1 win saw the Eagles move into the top half of the Northern Premier Division.

A win against AFC Fylde at Roxholme Road should see them seal sixth place in the League, with their season concluding on Thursday, as they take on Leeds Modernians in the West Riding County Cup Final at Fleet Lane.

Leeds United Women fell to a 5–1 defeat against Yorkshire rivals Hull City Ladies.

The win at Cedar Ridge sealed the FAWNL Division One North title for the Tigresses in the penultimate game of the season, with Helen Lynksey getting on the scoresheet for Hull. That goal, the forward's 17th so far this term, leaves her tied with United's Jess Rousseau in the race for the league's golden boot award.