BRADFORD (Park Avenue) bowed out of the Women's FA Cup at the Preliminary Round stage, losing 4-2 at Bridlington Rovers in a thrilling encounter by the seaside.

It was Avenue who started on top. They fashioned two early chances and took the lead after 10 minutes. A neat pass set Nat Bell clear on goal and the striker smartly converted.

Bridlington soon equalised with a tap-in and gained in confidence to put two more past Bradford goalkeeper Annie Roberts, making it 3-1 to the hosts at the break.

The second half saw Avenue forcing a good save before pulling a goal back through a Vic Cullen header.

However, Rovers soon restored their two-goal advantage to make it 4-2. But Avenue kept going until the end, with man of the match, midfielder Emily McNulty, having a fine game.

In the last 10 minutes, Avenue forced two further saves, but it is Bridlington who will entertain Ossett United on September 22 in the first qualifying round.

Meanwhile, Thackley debuted in the competition at Regional Premier side Farsley Celtic, but it was a tough introduction, as Farsley went in front through an Adele Jackson free kick after just five minutes.

But the County League side were not fazed, hitting the post and striking the crossbar twice. They were only 1-0 down at half-time but would count themselves unlucky not to be level at least.

Unfortunately for them, Charlotte Adams put Celtic 2-0 up just after the break. There were chances for both sides, but then Shirley Murphy wrapped it up with a 25-yard looping effort to make it 3-0

Farsley host Regional North West Premier side Merseyrail in the next round.