LAST Saturday three sides representing Bradford City concluded their season at the West Riding Girls’ League Cup Finals Weekend, again hosted by Ackworth Girls FC at Oakfield Park School.

City’s u16s were taking on Brighouse Juniors Alpha in the u17 final.

They were hoping for a repeat of last year’s League and League Cup double at u15 level. Last month the u16s won the West Riding County FA Junior Cup in a fantastic final against Ossett Albion. They also became the u17 League champions, despite playing one year above their age group, finishing three points above their Cup opponents.

The game started off as a cagey affair against their slightly bigger, older opposition. But City were unfazed and ended up putting away four goals before half-time. The second half saw City take their foot off the pedal, allowing Brighouse to score. But City weren’t going to let their advantage slip away, and added one more.

Unfortunately it was the last time the players will be playing together as a team, as City are reorganising the older age groups. Joint managers Stephen Rushforth and Cameron Whalley were pleased with the effort shown during the game, and indeed throughout the season, ending with a 5–1 win for a historic “treble”.

City’s u13 side were playing Brighouse Town.

Last year City lost 3–2 to Town in the u12 semi-final, and this season the two League meetings between the teams have been close affairs. City’s u13s, who have spent four years together as a well-knit group, secured their League Championship by two points above Town.

An entertaining game saw a confident City take a 3–0 lead into the break, and they looked to be well in control. But Town fought back, and, with the score-line at 3–2, there was a tense few minutes near the end. But City held on for the win, and their first “double”.

City’s u11s met Ryburn United in their 7-a side final.

City took the lead in a close contest. However bizarre circumstances saw Ryburn level. City’s keeper kicked the ball out, it struck a player and rebounded into an open net. The remaining minutes saw both sides anxious for a winner before the inevitable penalty shoot-out loomed.

The penalty shoot-out was also close, with both teams missing their first two penalties, then putting away their third. City’s goalie made an excellent save to decide the contest, with the u11s going through 3–1 on penalties, completing a successful afternoon for Bradford City Girls.

City’s u18 side played the first of two big Thursday evening games against Nidd United.

Last week’s game, the League title decider, started off slowly, but Isma Ahmed and Lu Negru both scored good goals to put City in front at half-time.

The second half also started off slowly, before Ahmed scored her second and Molly Marsh added one. Nidd’s Leah Gill pulled one back but her team struggled to get back in the game. Negru completed the 5–1 score-line, that saw the u18s secure the League Championship.