BRADFORD City Women's manager Charlotte Stuart believes this year’s West Riding County Cup final will be the most exciting of recent years.

The Bantams secured their place in the final with a 2-0 win over Farsley Celtic last Wednesday, with goals from Abi Lee and Laura Elford.

They will learn their opposition late this evening as Guiseley Vixens take on Leeds United’s reserves in the other last four fixture, and Stuart has no preference over who makes it through.

“We will take either in the final – both are local rivals and would make it an exciting game,” she said.

“What I will say is that I think this year will certainly be the most exciting final compared to previous years.”

Bradford have won this competition for the last four years, and have dominated most of the finals.

Their second success saw them defeat Farsley 9-0 to clinch the trophy, before a 6-0 win over Leeds the following season. Last year, Brighouse Town kept the score down in a closer affair, but City still won comfortably in a 3-0 result.

This year’s tournament has been much more competitive. City were taken to penalties by Brighouse in the first round, while Leeds United – one of the big four contenders – were eliminated by lower-league Farsley in the second round.

From the Bantams’ perspective, these closer games come from a shake-up in personnel, with many multiple winners having left their ranks.

“It’s tough to say whether the club’s experience in winning this cup gives us an advantage,” Stuart said.

“Each year the cup brings something new and, this season, we certainly have a different squad.

“We’ve got many new faces who are reaching the County Cup final for the first time with City.”

A lot of those new faces are young faces, as Stuart added: “It has always been important for me to build a strong club, having our own youngsters coming up through the junior teams and into the senior team.

"The County Cup has given us a good chance to involve those younger players in the first team this year.”

Teenage trio Lucy Preston, Sophie Moulden and Keavy Smith were all praised by midfielder Lee last week for their impact off the bench in the semi-final win over Farsley, with Smith only denied a goal by the post.

And having gained the trust of both their manager and team-mates, they will hope to get chance to do the same in May’s final.