HOLDERS Bradford City are through to the final of the West Riding County Women's Cup for the third successive season but they cut it desperately fine.
In Wednesday's semi-final against Guiseley Vixens at Woodlesford, first-half goals from City's Alarna Fuller and an equaliser from Guiseley's Katie Anderton were among only a handful of shots on target in a hard-fought 90 minutes.
With no provision for extra-time, the tie was decided on a penalty shootout. Anderton, Carey Huegett and substitute Adele Jackson were on target for Guiseley, with City's Sarah Danby, Charlotte Stuart and Chantelle O'Hara levelling. That was followed by a superb save by City keeper Chloe Precious before substitute Zoe Roberts smashed home a winning kick.
City are without a first-team game tomorrow but Guiseley boss John Shirt and his players have a huge task at home to third-placed Blackburn as they return to the task of staving off relegation and an immediate return to Division One (North).
There are important games for Bradford City reserves and their A team.
The reserves go to bottom club Middlesbrough needing to win their games in hand to catch leaders Blackburn Rovers, while the A team are at home to West Riding League First Division rivals Battyeford Belles in the semi-final of their League Cup.
While City A and Battyeford Belles are busy challenging for promotion to the Premier Division, Bradford Park Avenue are looking increasingly likely to lose their place in the top flight.
Gledhow's 4-0 win over Brighouse Athletic leaves Avenue in joint bottom spot with six points and a 4-3 win for Hepworth over Ossett Town leaves them eight points clear of the bottom two.
With a much-improved Gledhow capable of taking the points at Hepworth tomorrow, a win for Avenue at home to fourth-placed Brighouse Athletic is paramount.
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