BRADFORD City Women welcome defending champions West Bromwich Albion confident that they can bounce back.

The Bantams fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Fylde in the FA Women's Premier Division last week, making it three Northern Division losses in a row.

Yet ahead of their County Cup semi-final with Guiseley on Wednesday, the City players know how far a good result could go.

"The morale is high even though we haven't had the results we've wanted recently," said player-manager Charlotte Stuart.

"The performances have been there, it's just been very fine margins. We've got a great team spirit and we will keep battling for the results we want."

City showed that character last Sunday as Laura Elford equalised within seconds of the team conceding to Fylde.

But despite debutant keeper Elizabeth Hobson saving a penalty to keep them level, the Bantams succumbed to Yasmine Swarbrick's second goal of the day in the closing stages.

West Brom surrendered their title to Blackburn two weeks ago but they are now making up for a rocky start to the season.

Last week's comfortable 3-1 victory over a strong Huddersfield side confirmed as much, as well as the fact that City's task tomorrow will be a tough one.

That is not made any easier by missing personnel – but Stuart believes this side has the depth to overcome these setbacks.

"We've got a few players away this week," she confirmed, with midfielders Abi Lee and Ellie Olds absent along with striker Bryony Hanson.

"But we still have a strong squad for Sunday which is more than capable of getting a result."

After three 2-1 losses on the trot, and three successive stories of so close but so far, City's desire for a well overdue win is certainly high.

If they want to keep their hopes of finishing third alive, they will certainly need to defeat a Baggies side who are quickly becoming the favourites to do so.