BRADFORD City Women face a tough task in their return to action tonight after over two and a half weeks without a game.

That tie against Fylde was another day of dismay for the Bantams when they lost 5-0 at home to the mid-table side.

Their return couldn't be more difficult as they host a rampant Blackburn Rovers.

Rovers claimed the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division title with five games to play.

They were denied promotion last season with a play-off final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, but have another chance this time around as they face Coventry.

The visitors' only defeat this season was a shock 3-0 loss at Sunderland back in March.

Rovers quickly got back to business though with a 5-0 win at Guiseley three days later.

Since then they have also added the FA Women's National League Cup to their trophy cabinet thanks to a 3-0 win over Crawley Wasps last weekend.

They will present a mammoth challenge to City, who will be glad to see the back of this season.

The Bantams are yet to secure any points at all in this campaign, with 22 defeats from 22 games so far.

Where Blackburn have enjoyed a settled season, Steve Winterburn is City’s third manager since August, and he has been unable to turn his team’s fortunes around under tough circumstances.

But despite the results, there is a clear determination and unity in this side and no doubt Winterburn and his young squad will have a busy summer ahead.

Last time these sides met, Rovers crushed City 10-0 back in October at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium in front of nearly 100 spectators.

Natasha Flint grabbed five goals, and strike partner Saffron Jordan scored two.

The pair now have 77 goals between them for the season from a total of 71 appearances.

City skipper Maisie Norde knows the size of the challenge that faces them this week.

She said: "This is a real David and Goliath story, it’s a tough fixture for anyone in our league, whether they’re top, middle or bottom as we unfortunately are."

Away from the pitch, City are determined to forge a strong relationship with their male counterparts - a partnership that has been lacking under previous regimes

On Easter Monday the club were guests at Valley Parade for the Bantams' 1-1 draw with Gillingham as part of the club’s Kick It Out campaign.

Over 250 players, coaches and parents were in attendance, with the younger sides enjoying a half-time match in front of the Kop.