BRADFORD City Women's Football Club are appealing for extra support ahead of their West Yorkshire derby with Huddersfield Town tomorrow in the FA Women's Premier League Shield at Eccleshill United (2pm).

The ladies are counting the cost of their success, having reached the Northern Section of the FA Women's Premier League – the third tier of the football pyramid in the female game.

Having formed nearly 30 years ago, they are currently West Yorkshire's highest placed team but maintaining that status is getting more difficult due to increasing financial demands.

With not owning their own ground, it is necessary to hire a venue that will meet FA ground grading requirements. The City first team have to meet the fees and expenses of three officials every match day and must provide appropriate hospitality for visiting sides.

It is estimated that home games at their Eccleshill United base can cost as much as £300 to stage. Though City are indebted to the help of main sponsor, Bradford-based Patchett Joinery, more support is needed if they are to continue running their three senior teams and an ever-expanding junior section, which is currently made up of around 150 youngsters.

Player-manager Charlotte Stuart said: “We are grateful for all the sponsorships the club have at the moment and the ones we have had in the past.

“Some of our junior sides have kit sponsors, but some of them don’t, so any more financial help that we receive would be massively appreciated.”

On the field, close-season departures, a change of management and a glut of injuries resulted in a longer settling-in period this season.

A 4-2 setback at leaders Blackburn Rovers in their last outing leaves them with a lot to do if they are to press for a place in the top half of the table but the League Shield and the County Cup, as holders, still offer chances of a trophy-winning success.

Elsewhere, Guiseley Vixens held on to the top spot in Division One (North) when they came back from 2-1 down at half-time to secure a 3-2 win over visiting Mossley Hill. Abbie McIver had put Guiseley ahead early on but it needed two second-half goals from Sarah Danby to clinch all three points.

Next up for Guiseley is a trip to Leeds Ladies, who will doubtless be full of confidence after their 3-1 win at Brighouse Town last week.

In the West Riding County League, Bradford Park Avenue picked up a vital point in their Premier Division game when they drew 4-4 in an end-to-end encounter.

Nat Bell and Laura Wilkinson put Avenue 2-0 ahead but, with their ranks depleted by injury, they let Silsden back in the game to move in front with goals from Holly Kirtley, Harriet Brewer and Vicky Oxley.

But, undaunted, Nat Bell struck again to equalise and, even after Jess Buck had restored Silsden's lead in the last minute, Sarah Huby struck with the last kick of the game to snatch a point for Avenue and set the scene perfectly for tomorrow's return game at Silsden.