BRADFORD City Women start their West Riding County Cup defence tomorrow afternoon with a trip to Brighouse Town – the team they beat in last year's final.

It is one of the toughest, if not the toughest, draws the champions could have received, especially with Brighouse flying high in the division below them.

With City having to deal with a plethora of injuries, player-manager Charlotte Stuart is aware that it will be a much harder opening fixture than her team are used to.

"Brighouse are great going forward and they have scored a lot of goals so far this season, so it will be a good contest," said Stuart.

"We have a few players out on Sunday. We have been very unfortunate with the amount of injuries we've had this season.

"But we have a great team spirit and that has shown with everyone pulling together through this tough injury spell.

"Sunday will certainly be a tough opening cup game but everyone is looking forward to it."

City will be favourites this weekend, bearing the title of reigning champions and sitting in the division above, yet Town will fancy their chances of causing an upset.

They look a completely different side to that which the Bantams defeated 3-0 in the final last season, with their only defeat this term coming against leaders Hull City – the only team above them in the table.

Bradford's recent form, meanwhile, has been patchy, with a draw against winless Guiseley Vixens last Sunday making it three games without victory.

But Stuart is confident in her team's ability to end that drought and lift the cup for a fifth successive season.

She said: "We've been the best team in the county for the last four years and to win the cup would show that we are again this year. We want to keep hold of the trophy."

Kick-off time at the Dual Seal Stadium tomorrow is 3pm, with the winners to face Tyersal in the next round.