Bradford City women face their biggest test in over a decade (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford City women face their biggest test in over a decade

6:20pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Sport By Mike Popplewell

Bradford City face their biggest game in more than a decade on Sunday when they travel to South London to face 2005 winners Charlton in the third round of the Women’s FA Cup at Thamesmead FC.

The Charlton team that won the cup had previously played under the name of Croydon, and in that guise knocked City out of the cup at the quarter-final stage of the 1997-98 season with a squad that included current England coach Hope Powell.

Preparation has been difficult preparation for City coach Steve Winterburn, with the weather leaving his side out in the cold last week and threatening to do likewise this weekend.

In addition, while commonplace during the club’s Premier League days, the overnight stay promises to be a new experience for most of the current squad.

The cup successes are beginning to impact greatly on City’s Northern Women's Combination title ambitions as the fixture backlog grows.

They are now 16 points adrift of leaders Newcastle United with five games in hand.

Huddersfield Town lost 2-1 at home to Durham in their last game and go to Cheadle Heath with their chances of promotion almost gone.

In the North East Women's Regional League, third-from-bottom Guiseley travel to third-from-top Barnsley in a difficult return to action, while in Division One (South) Bradford City's A team went down 5-1 at leaders Lepton Highlanders.

Bradford Park Avenue take on Hemsworth Miners' Welfare in the West Riding County Women's League Premier Division, fresh from an impressive 4-1 win at third-placed Brayton Belles, while top club Keighley Oaks, 6-2 winners over Brighouse, entertain joint leaders Harrogate Railway.