Bradford City’s women travel to Middlesbrough on Sunday hoping for a dramatic improvement in fortunes.

Having struggled to raise a side last time out due to injury and illness, Steve Winterburn’s team lost 3-0 at home to Northern Combination title rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

The City boss was full of praise for his side’s efforts but explained: “The dressing room sounded like a doctor’s waiting room in a flu epidemic.”

These fitness problems took their toll, although there was special praise for centre back Faye Boshell and goalkeeper Melanie Garside-Wight.

Wednesday’s win lifted them to the top of the table while fifth-placed Huddersfield Town gained ground on City, who are fourth, with a 4-4 draw at home to Mossley Hill, leaving the top five separated by just five points.

Wakefield remain second bottom after crashing 6-1 at home to Cheadle Heath.

Huddersfield play at Liverpool Feds this weekend while Wakefield are at home to South Durham in a rehearsal of their Women’s FA Cup third qualifying round clash, at Durham, on Sunday, November 13.

In the same draw, City travel to Town for a West Riding derby while the second qualifying round’s top scorers, North East Regional League outfit Rothwell – who were 15-0 winners at North Ferriby – host Combination title-chasers Newcastle United.

In the North East Regional League Premier Division, Guiseley go to Whitley Bay looking for vital points to improve on their second-bottom spot.

In Division One (South), Kirklees – who closed the gap on the leading clubs with a 7-0 win at AFC Preston – are at home to Wetherby and the Bradford City A team, disappointingly beaten 3-2 at Goole, now entertain Rothwell.

Sunday is also second-round day in the West Riding County Women’s League Knockout Cup, with local teams all at home to lower-division opponents.

Bradford Park Avenue take on Brayton Belles Reserves, Keighley Oaks play Uppermill and Silsden host Leeds side Amaranth.