As our local women’s football teams reach the conclusion of their season this month, recent matches have seen some final championship positions in the West Riding County League being decided.

In County Third, Field’s final fixture was away to Leeds Hyde Park Seconds, played at Scott Hall Road, as they looked to finish their season unbeaten and finish as champions.

Following a far-from-easy narrow victory a few weeks ago, Field knew that they would have to work hard for the win, but they did have a full line-up this time.

The game finished in a 3–1 win, with goals from Amelia Jackson and Megan Medley (2) — meaning Field are now Third Division champions.

Skipton Town Development were also playing their final fixture, and will join them in the Second Division as runners-up. They travelled to Old Earth, hoping to end on a high with victory over Huddersfield Amateur 2nds.

Skipton led at the break by the odd goal, but then went on to win with a remarkable 5–0 result. Goals came from Alice McNee (2), Jess Ferridge, Dani Wildman and, scoring her first goal for SLFC, a bullet header from Player-of-the-match Amy Howarth.

Tyersal’s final game was a 5–2 loss at home to Hyde Park Seconds. Unfortunately, it was also the last game for their captain Lauren Burnett, who has made the difficult decision to retire from playing football. Lauren has been playing football for over 20 years, and some team-mates have played alongside her for the full stretch from her early days at Bradford (Park Avenue) Girls.

Bradford (Park Avenue) finished their County Premier season with two away games, the first of which was a warm and frustrating day at Harrogate Railway Firsts.

Railway started the game well, causing Bradford lots of concerns. But Bradford started to grow in confidence and soon their striker Lois Cooper beat the offside trap and slid the ball home, to put Bradford 1–0 up at half time.

Railway were back at it with a superb Elisa Hodson left-foot volley beating Bradford ’keeper Annie Roberts. The game became more physical as players tired, and Cooper struck against the run of play to put Bradford 2–1 up. This kicked Railway into gear again as they dominated the final 20’, with Katie Laurence smashing the ball home from a corner, to equalise. There was good play from young Players-of-the-match Orla Durkin and Maizie Robinson, with honours-even at 2–2.

Bradford finished their League programme at Leeds Modernians, but they were unable to make a dent in the League Champions’ unbeaten season, as they lost 7–0, finishing fifth in the League.

Thackley also finished their season at Mods, losing 4–0. However, the Dennygirls have retained their Premier Division status after basement side Brighouse Sports were unable to fulfil their last two fixtures to take up the sole relegation place.

Two Dennygirls have recently received Player-of-the-Season awards for 2023/2024 at the main Thackley AFC presentation evening.

Chelsea Morton was awarded the Manager’s Player award, and Abbie Thompson was voted Player’s Player, a huge honour to be recognised by team-mates.

Skipton Town, who finished joint-second in the League, are on the look-out for a new first-team manager. To register interest, please email skiptonladiesfc@gmail.com.

Farsley Juniors First finished their Regional League season with a 4–0 loss at Altofts. As mentioned earlier, they finished bottom of the Southern Division, and will rejoin the WRCWFL for next season under their new name of Forge Way First.

Things are still to be finalised at the top of County Second.

Athletico have completed their fixtures, with striker Sadyha Akhtar currently topping the divisional individual scoring chart, with 40 goals and one penalty in 19 starts.

Bradford City’s u21s are hoping to overtake them on two fronts. A 13–0 home victory over Queensbury Celtic in mid-week saw the Bantams just shy of the second promotion place, and Crystal Boyce scoring six to leave her on 35 goals in 19 starts, as they prepare to travel to Queensbury for their last game of the season.

Queensbury Celtic welcomed County Second leaders Knaresborough Town to Pit Lane.

Queensbury have found themselves at the bottom of the Division Two table, but they have continued to play with smiles on their faces, and actually fashioned a few chances to score – with one opportunity in particular seeing the ball roll agonisingly wide of the Town post with Town’s stopper Ella Ritchie beaten.

Celtic have, much to their credit, turned up against all the teams in the league, fulfilling their fixtures, and in doing so, can take great pride in their approach to the game and the 2023/24 campaign.

Knaresborough dominated the first half to lead 4–0. The visitors didn’t make as many clear-cut chances in the second half but went on to win 8–0 to confirm their status as divisional champions.

A reminder that all existing and potential teams are required to complete the WRCWFL Application Form for the coming Season at: http://forms.gle/QJyZJpmjBSN6zZ2j6.

In the West Riding Girls’ League, Thackley Juniors’ Blizzards u17s came from behind at Westend Lionesses to win 2–1.

In other news, a former Thackley Juniors player will next season be playing in the Women’s Super League.

Molly-Mae Sharpe played as midfielder for Thackley from the age of five, before joining Bradford City at age 12 and becoming a striker. On qualifying for open-age football, she went straight into the first team, helping the Bantams to two County Cup victories. After receiving a scholarship, Molly spent some time in the United States, and on her return, played in the Championship, joining Crystal Palace three years ago. This season, a goal-less draw against Sunderland on the last day confirmed that the Eagles had won the Championship and promotion to the Super League.