Bradford’s under-16 team, who fielded a couple of 13-year-olds and three girls, found it tough going at Ben Rhydding, where they faced threee of the league’s stronger teams.

Championship contenders York beat them 6-0 but only a questionable umpiring decision set Bradford back against Rotherham after Mathew Stubley had hit a post.

Skipper Daniel Stubley, Luke Watson and Ben Bateson started well but Bradford were deflated after that umpire’s call.

A goal conceded within 20 seconds when they faced Sheffield didn’t help matters, and they lost 3-0, although the officials didn’t see Mathew Stubley being jabbed in the stomach with a stick after the ball had gone, not Chloe Tingle being pulled for obstruction when her opponent simply ran into her. Bradford’s mixed under-ten team were at Pocklington, and lost 1-0 to Rotherham while having to borrow a player, although Bob Boyden shone.

With all five players now playing, he scored the only goal to defeat bitter rivals Ben Rhydding, but that was followed by defeats against Sheffield (1-0) and Chapeltown (1-0), Bradford being guilty in the Sheffield match of hugging the ball, although they improved against Chapeltown, Ben Shaw having a good shot saved.