BRADFORD City Women progressed to the third round of the West Riding FA County Cup after a solid 3-0 win over neighbours Thackley.

The two clubs are separated by more than 40 places in the Football League, but underdogs Thackley kept it close until the very end.

The Bantams put on the early pressure but were unable to break through the visitors’ well-organised back line. Jade Brindle was twice denied by the keeper when through on goal.

Shirley Murphy, player of the match Rosie Gill and Hannah Shuttleworth all went close in the first half, while City keeper Aimee Routledge was relatively untroubled.

The teams went in level at half-time, but there was a more determined look about City in the second half.

After 54 minutes, Brindle cut in from the left after good build-up play and was chopped down inside the box. After a delay in play for treatment to the Thackley defender, Brindle coolly slotted home the penalty to give City a well-deserved lead.

The visitors came close to equalising on a couple of occasions, but the introduction of Jess Dunlop and Sophie Moulden mid-way through the second half swung the game back in the Bantams' favour.

With Dunlop taking over from Shuttleworth in midfield, it gave Moulden licence to roam forward, and it was she who doubled City’s lead after 69 minutes.

With two minutes left, Moulden latched on to a through ball to fire past the helpless Thackley keeper to put the game beyond doubt.

Coach Meg Lawson was pleased with City's performance. She said: “It was a good showing from our young squad who continue to improve.

"They show up week in week out with a superb attitude and today it’s been rewarded. We stayed patient in the first half after dominating but not scoring and continued to dominate throughout. (This result) should bring confidence for league games.”

Lawson’s colleague, Toni Butcher, was realistic about what City need to build on.

She said: “We need to start finishing all our chances if we’re going to compete. We have turned up with the right attitude today though and we have finally got what we deserved.”

City will travel to Harrogate Town in the next round, as they look to win back the trophy they lost to Guiseley last season.

Meanwhile, Bradford’s injury-hit Development side went down 7-1 at home to Durham, the Bantams’ goal coming from Ellen Kennedy.