BRADFORD City Women will be hoping tomorrow’s West Riding County Cup Second Round game against Thackley will give them a much-needed upturn in fortune and a break from their disappointing league season.

The Bantams sit bottom of the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division, six points below Doncaster Rovers Belles, who hammered them 5-1 last weekend.

City found themselves a goal down after 15 minutes, but pulled back an equaliser through Shirley Murphy.

Doncaster netted a second just before half time, before a disastrous 15 second half minutes saw the Belles rattle in three goals as City switched off to put the game beyond any doubt.

Tomorrow’s game at Eccleshill United's Mitton Group Stadium will be a chance for the Bantams to switch off from the league, and concentrate on regaining the trophy that they lost to Guiseley in last season’s final.

City ran out 4-1 winners at Farsley Celtic in the previous round, thanks to a 30-minute hat-trick from Murphy and a second half bullet from long-range specialist Jess Dunlop.

They will be hoping for more of the same against a Thackley side who currently sit second in the West Riding County WFL Division One, after beating bottom side Skipton Town 7-0 last Sunday.

The two teams met in the same competition last season, with the Bantams winning 15-0. However, this season’s squad looks very different, with only Bryony Hanson and Zoe Roberts still at the club from the starting line-up that day.

City captain Harriet Jakeman is aware that this weekend’s game is an opportunity for her young players to turn their attention away from the troubles of their league form.

She said: “Sunday is a game for us to focus on building some confidence in the team again, and try some new tactics. It’s time to start having fun playing again.”

City’s Development Team will be in action this weekend too, hosting Durham at Rawdon Meadows.

City's Women continue their hunt for a new volunteer goalkeeping coach for the first team and anyone interested in the role should contact info@bradfordcitywomensfc.co.uk if they are interested in working with the club.

Elsewhere in the competition, Bradford (Park Avenue) were due to play Pontefract Sports & Social at Horsfall but the visitors have pulled out.

Last week, Pontefract's revival in the West Riding League was brought to a halt, as goals from Thackley Reserves' Lucy Turner, Tara Kirby and Paris Lockwood took the points for their 3-1 win.

Phoenix, who lost 3-0 to Huddersfield Amateur, entertain County Premier side Silsden at Laisteridge Lane.

Meanwhile, holders Guiseley play Wetherby Athletic at Nethermoor, after both teams had good wins last week.

Guiseley captain Alarna Fuller and young Ellie Caspar were on target in an exciting 2-1 win at Sheffield, while Wetherby walloped Avenue 6-2, thanks to hat-tricks from Lucy Crann and Lorna Wilkinson.

Finally, Tyersal have a West Riding First Division game against Skipton at Arkwright Street. They drew 1-1 with Leeds City last week after a rare Lindsay Henrey goal.