BRADFORD City head coach Steve Winterburn is convinced the restructuring of women's football has raised the standards for his side –but they still occupy third place in the Premier League (North) table ahead of tomorrow's game against Stoke City at Thackley (2pm).

City's trip to Derby County saw them take maximum points as two goals from Molly Sharpe and one by Abigail Barker, on her first-team debut, secured a 3-1 win.

This was despite the fact that the versatile Rachel Lee had to fill in as a late replacement for Carrie Simpson after the City keeper was called away on urgent business.

City will have one eye on Huddersfield Town's result this weekend as their mid-table neighbours travel to play current leaders Sheffield.

It is FA Women's Cup day and Division One (North) rivals Guiseley and Leeds meet in a first-round tie that has been switched to Emley FC.

Guiseley warmed up for this game with a 5-1 league win at Middlesbrough that lifted them into second place with two games in hand on leaders Liverpool Foundation.

In the Reserve Division, holders City – who still lead the Northern Division – face a daunting task in the League Cup at title rivals Newcastle United. But despite the impending journey, they are looking forward to a return to action after recent postponements.

Guiseley Vixens' second string are at Midland Reserve Division side Stoke in the same competition.

Brighouse Town, without a game last week, go to struggling Hessle hoping to get their North East Regional League Premier Division title challenge back on track.

Ossett Albion's dire season continued at the Keepmoat, Doncaster, as then went down 4-1 to promotion-chasing Rovers Foundation in the North East Regional League Southern Division.

Player of the match Kim Nallon capped a good display with her side's only goal, after an assist from Nicky Swift, but a hat-trick from Rovers skipper Gemma Harte helped sink Albion deeper into relegation trouble. Only pointless Dearne & District are keeping the Ossett girls off bottom spot.

Just up the road, Ossett Town – after opening the season with three successive wins – chalked up their sixth league and cup defeat in a row with a disappointing 5-2 setback at Brayton Belles in the West Riding League Premier Division. This was only the second win of the season for the Selby side.

Bradford Park Avenue were without a game and are idle once again this weekend.

The wet weather washed out all the Second Division fixtures in the West Riding County League, so Dewsbury Rangers – bottom with only four league games played – were at least spared the trial of facing free-scoring leaders Bradford City for a little while longer. City A are now without a scheduled game until the new year.

Rangers are this week hoping to return to action but a visit from in-form Ilkley Town is once again a daunting prospect for the Dewsbury side.

Battyeford Belles Reserves, without a game this week, saw their Third Division promotion hopes take a knock with a 5-1 defeat at Castleford White Rose Reserves. But Tyersal were 3-1 winners over Crossley with goals from Jaimee-Lee Lukacs (2) and Hayley Robinson.