Hannah Markey scored City's goal in their cup defeat to Leeds. (Image: Max Lomas)
Hannah Markey scored City's goal in their cup defeat to Leeds. (Image: Max Lomas)
BRADFORD City Women have endured a difficult couple of weeks in cup competitions, but they can now turn their focus back to the league.
They were in FA Cup action on Sunday against their fellow FA Women’s National League Division One North side Stockport County but bowed out of the competition with an 8-0 defeat.
And City are out of the FAWNL Cup after losing all three group games, the final one of those being a 4-1 defeat to Leeds United at the end of last month.
Both that and the Stockport game were held at Silsden, with City unable to use Horsfall on Sundays currently due to Bradford (Park Avenue)’s commitments to their own junior section.
The Stockport FA Cup clash was well poised 10 minutes before half time.
Both sides had great chances, the goalkeepers having to be at their best to keep the score level.
But as soon as the Bantams conceded the opener to Em Bradshaw, the visitors took total control.
Meg Parker finished off a counter-attack from a City corner to double Stockport’s lead, with Bradshaw netting her second to make it 3-0 at the break.
Imogen Porteous-Williams added another goal just after the break, and while County keeper Abbie Smith was then forced to make an excellent save at the other end, that was only brief respite for the Bantams defence.
Ellie Fletcher made the score 5-0, before Rosie Embley netted a superb free-kick.
Livvi Turkington added another goal on 68 minutes, with only a brilliant save denying Stockport’s Abi Podmore soon after.
County eventually made it 8-0, a City player putting the ball through her own net.
The Leeds game was another tough one for the Bantams, who found themselves 3-0 down early in the second half.
Hannah Markey reduced the deficit with a goal on 55 minutes, but Leeds soon scored again to complete the rout.
City have begun reasonably well in the league, with two wins from their opening five games.
Their next game is at struggling Chester Le Street Town this Sunday, the North East side only having picked up three points so far.