Women's football: Brighouse buoyed by cup run in spite of exit

Town went into half-time with a 4-0 deficit before “tiredness” eventually took its toll, as a much fitter Sunderland side, who train five times a week compare to Town’s usual two, ran riot from 62 minutes onwards.

However, Brighouse boss Rob Mitchell was “still smiling” at the end of what had been a special day for his side, giving them a steep learning curve as they resume their mouthwateringly close battle for promotion to the Premier League North.

Another well-earned clean sheet for Leeds United saw them hold Crewe Alexandra to a 0-0 draw in the Premier League North Division One, with goalkeeper Harriet Coles in fine form for the Whites.

Leeds did have their chances however, with a Holly Findlay cross nearly going all the way in before being cleared off the line, whilst substitute Carey Huegett almost made an instant late impact with an effort that was fired just over.

Huegett’s side were more than happy to take the result, however, with Coles receiving most of the plaudits for a performance that keeps her side unbeaten since the turn of the year.

Cup action in the West Riding divisions, meanwhile, saw Second Division Ripon City ease past Premier Division side Bradford Park Avenue with a 4-1 win to become the first side safely through to the League Cup semi-finals.

Chloe Bethell continued where she left off at the end of 2017, as an impressive hat-trick made it 12 goals in five games for her, with Louise Wilson coming off the bench to grab City’s fourth while Natalie Bell netted Avenue’s goal.

Ripon now await the winners of this Sunday’s outing between Farsley Celtic and Brighouse Athletic, with both set to provide a huge test for an otherwise highly confident Ripon side.

There was another surprisingly comfortable cup win in the League Shield, with Ossett Town Development this time seeing off their league rivals Farsley Celtic Development 4-0 to cruise into the semis.

Kayleigh West bagged a brace for Town with Vicki Jackson and Courtney Benson also on target in a rare win which sees them face the winners of Clifton Rangers or Wetherby Athletic in the next round.