THE league battle between Bradford City Women and Barnsley Women got off to a late start due to last minute changes in Chris Hames' side on Tuesday evening.

During the warm-up, Ellie Prothero fell to injury, which lead to changes in the staring 11. When the action began, neither team could make a breakthrough on the score sheet for a prolonged period.

The inform Barnsley team enjoyed some early pressure, but Hope Knight managed to catch them on the counter, but unfortunately her ball just grazed the post before going wide.

However, she finally got her goal 24 minutes in. The fans were treated to some excellent football as Knight received a lovely ball, before smashing it into the bottom left corner for the lead, the Bantams taking a deserved 1-0 half-time lead.

Just five minutes into the second half however, Barnsley got lucky with a well taken header by Jodie Michalska from a corner ball which glided in past keeper Skye Kirkham. Frustrated by the equaliser, the Bantams looked to strike back but Barnsley quickly turned up the heat in minute 60. Skye Kirkham took a rough knock defending the goal leading to treatment on the pitch.

Just a minute later, Knight too went down with a blow to the face, leading to a change of shirt. Thankfully, the team’s patience paid off as Amy Beck stole the ball away from Barnsley’s defence 66 minutes in. She slotted the ball into the net to take the lead once again.

Barnsley responded almost instantly as they try for an equaliser, but luckily Kirkham is on hand with a great save.

Shortly after, Charlotte Stuart made a lovely run towards the box, past the Red’s defenders and making the net bulge for a third and final goal.

The Bantams continued to dominate for the remainder of the half until the ref blew her whistle for full time. The win allowed the Bantams to move up the table into sixth position with a tidy 21 points.

The third consecutive win, and sixth league game undefeated was a massive achievement for coach Chris Hames. He said: “Any win is a good win at the moment, we’re aiming higher than where we’ve been sitting in the table. We need to ask ourselves what teams can we catch, which teams can we overtake and who can we stay above.”

“I thought the individuals who came in did really well, but it’s always tough when you’re used to starting with the same 11. I thought Elle who came in at left back did a class job and Beth Shepard as well was brilliant in centre back after an injury. I was proud of the girls.”

The first team will travel to Newcastle United this Sunday for their next league match, the Under 23’s will also be back in action after a short hiatus where they will be away against Durham Cestria.