Women's football: Town edged out of cup after thrilling quarter-final

Lauren Doyle in action for Brighouse Ladies against Blackburn. PIC: Bruce Fitzgerald

After a tight affair with PLN leaders Blackburn Rovers saw substitute Ria Marie Montgomery score a late winner for Rovers and send Town out of the FAWPL Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 loss.

The Premier League side took a first-half lead through Natasha Fenton’s header after a succession of corners saw Town wilt under the pressure. This was the largest piece of action for the most part of a cagey and closely fought encounter.

But it suddenly sparked back into life when Town were awarded a penalty on 80 minutes, which they eventually converted after Lauren Doyle smashed in the rebound following Emily Starkie’s initial miss. And it took another fittingly scrappy late goal from Montgomery to end a very even contest, which sees another cup run come to an end for the Orange Army.

Jodie Redgrave in action for Brighouse Ladies against Blackburn Ladies. PIC: Bruce Fitzgerald

Meanwhile, West Riding Premier title chasers Hepworth United booked their place in the semi-finals of the League Shield with ease, running out 10-0 winners against third-division minnows Phoenix.

Amirah Jalloh’s hat-trick made it four goals in three games for her, while Abigail Iggledon bagged a brace and Becky Kirk, Claire Berry, Claudia Cleary, Jolene Forrest and Sophie King got one each to add to the rout.

League action saw Premier Division side Leeds Medics and Dentists continue their strong recent form after beating Brighouse Athletic 5-1, with Rebecca Preston grabbing another hat-trick to make it eight goals in three games, while Kellyn Arnold and Charlotte Romans also scored.

It was business as usual for first division leaders Ossett Town Firsts, with four goals from Emma Smith comfortably seeing off Republica Internationale 4-0.

Zoe Doherty in action for Brighouse Ladies against Blackburn at Giles Road. PIC: Bruce Fitzgerald

Second division leaders Lower Hopton made tough work of their victory over Farsley Celtic Development, as Bethany Ellis and Eye Hattrell scored in a tight 3-2 victory to maintain their 100 per cent record.

Middleton Athletic remain in the hunt for the league summit, with a 3-0 win over Skipton ensuring they remain just behind Lower Hopton on goal difference, while Ripon City thrashed Borougbridge 5-1 to leapfrog them into fourth.

Elsewhere, there was a potentially damaging result for Tyersal in their hopes of a third-division title challenge, as leaders Thackley Athletic swept them aside 6-0 to go nine points clear at the top.