Despite finishing mid- table this season City finished on a high. The three hour round trip to bottom of the table Darlington ended 11-0 against an opposition that are probably wishing their season had finished too. Alice Thackray opened City’s account in the 3^rd minute from the penalty spot after one of the Darlington players handled the ball in the area. Soon after Whitney Taiwo scored her first of a great hat-trick, running through the defence and placing the ball past the stranded keeper. Skipper Mel Garside wasn’t going to miss out as she and the team soon detected that the only thing on the menu during this game was goals. Mel headed home an inch perfect cross from City’s Alice Thackray at the half our stage and Whitney made it four just before half time. The game was as good as over but City wanted to finish the season with a near faultless display and were determined not to concede. Becky Teale who started in goal was desperate to play outfield so the recovering Faye Boshell stepped in and put the no.1 shirt on whilst Clare Fawcett came off to allow Becky to take up the role in midfield. City were playing well, letting the ball do the work and the passing and movement was very good to watch. Alice Thackray and Chelsey Faulkner  added to the tally of goals causing more frustration to the Darlington players. Then with 20 minutes remaining Whitney Taiwo and Charlotte Stuart exchanged positions which allowed Whitney to run riot down the wing adding a new dimension to the team and creating even more goal scoring opportunities. Whitney completed her hat-trick which was soon followed by a brace from Mel Garside capping off another hat-trick. Then Charlotte Stuart showed her versatility by adding 2 more to make it 11. City could have scored more the way they were playing.  A great volley from Kerrie Zserdicky worried the Darlington keeper which just clipped the bar and Mel Garside hit the bar and post but overall it was a very good effort from all the players and credit has to go to the Darlington players who were very gracious in defeat and never gave up.

City played host to Stockport County at the weekend............................ After letting them off the hook earlier in the season after missing a penalty in the final minute and getting knocked out of the FA cup during injury time 2 weeks later by the same team, City had some unfinished business to finish before the end of the season and they didn’t disappoint.

   With Sarah Binns return to the first team to add more stability in the centre of midfield and a new look start with wing backs Alice Thackray and Charlotte Stuart City started well. The weather warm and muggy but the City players had a lot of pride to play for and despite the last 2 games of the season having no relevance on the league table(promotion or relegation) all the players looked very upbeat and concentrated on their job to do for the duration of the game. With Jules Jefferis in goals and the 3 centre backs of Becky Griggs, Laura Mahoney and Chelsey Faulkner City had a very strong midfield with loads of attacking options which Stockport struggled to come to terms with. Becky Teale, Kerrie Zserdicky and Sarah Binns took charge of the battle in the middle of midfield which helped to create goal scoring opportunities up front for Mel Garside and Clare Fawcett. City should have taken the lead just before half time when a well worked move down the right involving several of the City players ended up at Mel Garsides feet in the 6 yard area, who then in turn fooled the keeper and wrong footed the last defender but then placed the ball gracefully wide of the post. On the half time whistle the weather changed. The heavens opened and what followed completely changed the pitch condition for the second half. Hail, Rain, Thunder and lightening forced the officials to extend the half time break for an additional 5 minutes but City came out the stronger in the half. Whitney Taiwo took to the field as Becky Griggs was replaced for a niggling ankle injury. Whitney took over Alice Thackrays role as wing back and Alice stepped into the vacant centre back position. Stockport didn’t know what hit them. They couldn’t keep up with the pace of Whitney and for at least 35 out of the 45 minutes, City camped in the Stockport half. Skipper Mel Garside was struggling up front as she was carrying a badly sprained ankle from an earlier incident, but she battled through creating the only goal of the match. Chasing down a 50 50 ball with the keeper in the 76^th minute saw the ball rebounded out of the area where Charlotte Stuarts anticipation paid off as she lobbed the ball over the Stockport keeper, stranded defenders and the injured City Skipper lying on the ground into the back of the net. City kept the pressure on and could have scored more had it not have been for a good performance from the Stockport keeper. Another good performance from the team and a well deserved rest next week before their final match of the season against bottom of the table, Darlington on the 9^th of May.

Despite several players injured and/or away on holiday City’s squad was still big enough and good enough not to be concerned about this fixture. Over the past few season there has been no love lost between Salford and City and yet again there was no change again. Becky Griggs put on the gloves for this fixture due to City’s keepers absence and Clare Fawcett replaced Emma Dobson on the right side of midfield. The rest of the positions were all taken by regular team members and apart from the firm ground the conditions were perfect. The game got under way but both sets of players appeared to equal each other out and the pace of the game was very sluggish but the tackles and atmosphere were starting to boil over.  Both teams came close to opening the scoring but both denied by good saves. City lost their centre back on the 18^th minute after a brave low header clashed accidently with a boot and had to leave the field with a bloody head injury. Jess Pearson came on to replace her and the game continued in the same manner. City managed to take the lead just before half time when Salford failed to clear a corner and Becky Teale directed the ball goal bound which was helped in by the left back trying to head over. The game needed a boost and at the half time interval City got an ear full from the coach about their sluggish approach to this game hoping that in the second half there would be a positive change. The first 15 minutes did see a more positive response but the gods were against City today when Kerrie Zserdicky panicked on the City goal line during a goal mouth scramble on the 65^th minute and handled the ball and had to walk. From this point on with City playing with ten they started to look deflated instead of raising their game to compensate their loss, they appeared to take a step backwards. City came close to what would have appeared to be the winner when Whitney Taiwo volleyed from outside the area and forced an outstanding save from the Salford keeper but apart from that they struggled to create many more chances. Salford took advantage of their one player advantage and managed to double their tally in the 82^nd minute with a good finish which hurt City even more then had to make their final substitution minutes after when Charlotte Stuart was taken out by a nasty tackle which could have seen red but was awarded a yellow by the official and Katie Suttron moved into midfield as City had to try and salvage something from this game but time quickly ran out and City lost the match 2-1. A big disappointment to Bradford as they had just started to look good as a team and play some nice football recently and had set their stall out to finish the season on a high by taking maximum points from their last five games. That has now been foiled, but still have three matches remaining to show the rest of the league that they are a team to look out for.

Bradford City welcomed strong league champion contenders Liverpool Feds to Thackley at the weekend in the know that after going down 6-1 earlier in the season it was going to be a tough contest. City welcomed back Jules Jefferis to secure the keepers post and Kirsty Russell to shore up the middle of midfield. The players looked relaxed and confident and were egger to get stuck in but due to Liverpools late arrival the eagerness turned to frustration as the kick off was put back 20 minutes. Eventually the game got under way and City started very confidently. So much so that they stunned Liverpool by taking the lead in the first 3 minutes after Faye Boshell fired home a direct free kick from 30 yards out. This put additional zip into the City players stride and they settled nicely and took the game to the Feds. All the players were doing a great job and in the 42^nd minute City extended their lead with another blistering shot from 22 yards out from skipper, Mel Garside. The return of Jules Jefferis in the City goals gave the team more security and it showed in the girls performance. Alice Thackray and Faye Boshell shored up the defence with Chelsey Faulkner and Charlotte Stuart either side looked very solid.  Becky Teale along side Kirsty Russell ruled the roost in the middle of midfield and with the every running Whitney Taiwo up front with Mel Garside assisted by Emma Dobson and Clare Fawcett out wide, Liverpool had to defend in numbers to hold on upsetting their game plan time and time again. The second half saw City apply the same pressure and Liverpool had to try and gamble to try and salvage anything from this game but each time they were foiled by the hard working defence or Jules in goals. In the end the final nail entered Liverpools coffin after Clare Fawcett forced an error by the Feds right back as she stole the ball close to the corner flag and delivered the perfect cross which was converted into number 3 for City by Whitney Taiwo as she pounced between their keeper and a stranded defender. The goal was much deserved by Whitney as she caused havoc amongst the Liverpool defenders all game. A great result by a very happy team. Match point was awarded to Clare Fawcett for her hard work and cool head for the duration of the game. Well done girls.

A 150 mile round trip for the return fixture against Tranmere and City returned home with the 3 points. Not the prettiest of matches but nice to win. 2 bookings a saved penalty and a well placed goal just about covers this match.   Katie Suttron had a very good game in goals with the added bonus of a penalty save completing her day and Whitney’s well placed shot on goal were the highlights of the day but the team did stick together and worked hard to hold out for the 90 minutes and grind out the 3 points. Nice to keep a clean sheet and nice to win. Well done girls.

Bradford City travelled to Scunthorpe at the weekend as the winter frost returned. The team that travelled was not the regular squad as illness and injuries had hit the club hard. Jess Mallison’s lack of training and illness gave Amy Larner the chance to redeem her place back in the 1^st team goal and with Melanie Cropp. Sarah Dickens, Charlotte Stuart and Natalie Tomkins all injured during the Middlesbrough encounter City looked to their trusted young guns from the reserves to help out and they didn’t disappoint.

    On arrival both sets of players were sceptical about the frozen surface and the City coach questioned the referees decision on his approval that it was fit and safe to play. But he insisted that the game would start on time and the coaches got their plays set for the start. City started with a 442 formation with the changed look of Alice Thackray and  Chelsey Faulkner as right and left back respectively and in the centre Faye Boshell along side debutant Laura Mahoney. In front of the them Becky Griggs  and Becky Teale with Kerrie Zserdicky playing out on the left and another young debutant start for Bryony Wraith on the right leaving  the ever consistent Mel Garside up front with City’s other up and coming young star of the future Whitney Taiwo.

Both teams started off very gingerly due to the hard conditions underfoot but the physical side of the game started from the first blow of the whistle as on and off the ball foul play incidents between some players started to get out of hand, but simmered as the game progressed. Unfortunately City fell behind very early on from a corner where they just appeared to switch off and a soft goal was gifted. This appeared to fuel the City players into attack mode and almost straight from the kick off they pulled level from an own goal, but well earned from a great solo run from Kerrie Zserdicky who beat the right sided midfield player then megged the right back and drove the ball hard and low across the Scunthorpe 6 yard area deflecting off the stranded defender into the back of the net.

City settled quickly and looked very confident. It wasn’t long before they took the lead when they were awarded a free kick 30 yards away from the goal. Captain Mel Garside called up Bryony Wraith who stepped up very casually and struck the ball with so much venom that despite the keeper s  good positioning couldn’t push the ball over the bar.

   Captain Mel Garside put any doubt to rest for the 3 points by scoring two goals in quick succession. Both very similar, converting crosses from the right hand side one with the right boot and one with her head! To wrap things up Kerrie Zserdicky slotted home a 6^th goal for City after a well worked move down the left side.  Becky Teale made way for Clare Fawcett giving her a well earned rest and City’s 3^rd young debutant of the day Emma Dobson swapped places with Bryony Wraith on the right side who again looked very confident against a strong Scunthorpe side. Laura Gadd came on for the last 8 minutes replacing the very tied and very hard working Kerrie Zserdicky who was awarded the match point for her high level of consistency during the game. Next week City travel to Middlesbrough hoping to cause an upset and to improve their own league position.

City returned to their league fixture schedule after an eight week break due to the freeze and it showed as they struggled to keep up with a confident Middlesbrough side. City knew this was going to be a very tough encounter as Middlesbrough are pushing for the title and managed to play last week to give them a slight advantage over City who came out of the cold and never got warm. The first ten minutes were very scrappy and Middlesbrough settled first and applied themselves very well by moving quicker and supporting each other at all times, always managing to get bodies behind the ball and break quickly. This was the complete opposite to what Bradford were doing. Middlesbrough went in at half time 3-0 up and City brought on Whitney Taiwo and Clare Fawcett to try and get back into the game. They believed that they still had a chance to turn this game around because they all knew that they hadn’t really started playing yet. But it wasn’t to be. Bradford just could not get into this game and conceded another 3 goals. Despite feeling like running into a wall time and time again, City kept their heads and used the remainder of the game as a practice session to prepare for next weeks tough opposition, Liverpool. City’s best spell was the last 15 minutes when they were reduced to 10 players after Mel Cropp had to leave the field for suspected ankle ligament damage and Captain Melanie Garside scored a consolation goal which was probably the best goal in the game. Match point was awarded to Chesley Faulkner who never lets her team mates down with her fearless challenges and endless energy throughout the 90 minutes. City must regroup quickly and get back into winning ways soon to avoid another ending to a season where they have to start relying on other results to stay in this league!

Bradford City players and management team travelled 70 miles up the A1 at the weekend to play second placed South Durham in this seasons disrupted league schedule. Due to appalling weather conditions City have not played a league fixture for over a month and this game was an important one for them to stay in touch with the top 3 teams. The pitch was heavy but in good condition and City started with a familiar system of 4 at the back, 4 in mid-field and 2 up front.  City started very well against a Durham team that are flying high at the moment. There was nothing between the two teams and if anything, if this had of been a boxing match, City would have gone in at half time winning on points despite conceding one goal on the 38^th minute from a fluke 40 yard snap shot.

Jess Mallison, the City keeper looked full of confidence in this match making important saves and commanding the area and the back four of Alice Thackray, Faye Boshell, Mel Cropp and Kerrie Zserdickys dealt with everything that was thrown at them. Durhams tactics of the long ball over the top were snubbed out and City controlled the midfield with great work rates from Becky Teale and Chelsey Faulkner. The only bit that was missing was City’s finishing. Not for the lack of effort,  it just wasn’t  their day.

The second half was very much like the first half. Two teams equally matched and cancelling each other out time after time. City knew this game was there for the taking if they could just grind the opposition down and have that little bit of luck. City’s left back Kerrie Zserdicky who put in a solid performance had to vacate the field of play with a badly bruised knee after a 50-50 tackle witnessed a double knee contact seeing both teams having to bring on substitutes. Jess Pearson stepped straight into the left back position and the battle commenced. Charlotte Stuart and Sarah Dickens came into their elements when they were instructed to push out wide and forward which gave City more attacking avenues down the flanks and the Durham defence started to crack slightly. Crosses started finding the danger areas and well taken corners from Clare Fawcett started to threaten the Durahm goal but the luck of the gods were against City on this cold December afternoon. Durham doubled their  tally from a freakish free kick that wrong footed the City keeper with a strike that moved the ball in mid air sideways. This was a massive blow for the City players who were giving their all to get something out of this game. Chelsey Faulkner gave way for City’s debutant Natalie Tomkins who had 12 minutes to try and turn this game round. City pushed players on and continued working for each other and reward came on the 85^th minute from a well worked free kick. This must have been a rehearsed training drill as it worked a treat. With players running away from the ball to take their positions in the wall, Sarah Dickens calmly placed the ball in to the bottom left hand side of the net leaving all the stunned Durham players looking at each other in a confused manner. City grabbed the ball and placed it on the spot ready for the retake and worked their socks off right up until the final whistle to try and salvage a point but it wasn’t to be. Match point was awarded to Becky Teale for her gutsy and tireless performance in the centre of midfield. Over all a very good performance and very unlucky not to salvage any points.  Before I wrap up this match report, I felt I should mention the officials. It has to be said that the referee was model for women’s football. He treated each and every player as a footballer and talked to the players throughout the 90 minutes. It was a pleasure to witness after some of the officials that City have had to put up with this season. Well done to him.

City travel to League leaders Rochdale at the weekend, hoping to upset there winning run before Santa arrives!

After regrouping during the half time break and an open chat about players roles and responsibilities, City started the second half more upbeat and looking like a team that meant business. Within the first 5 minutes of the second half Whitney Taiwo opened City’s account with a blistering right footed strike from out side the area after a great passage of play down the right side involving Alice Thackray, Charlotte Stuart and Clare Fawcett. Soon after City made it 2-0 which Taiwo playing another big part in setting up Mel Garside who calmly placed the ball into the back of the Guiseley net. This starteld the Guiseley players and panic started to set in as City started to dominate the game.  Despite it not being City’s best performance of the season some of their passing and moving was top drawer and cut through the Guiseley defence time after time and it wasn’t long before City increased their lead with a typical Clare Fawcett goal. Weaving her magic on the edge of the area in and out of the Guiseley players and slotting the ball into the back of the net.  The hard working Whitney Taiwo had to leave the field of play after picking up an injury which gave Kirsty Russell a good opportunity to get a good run out after her absence from the club. Clare Fawcett doubled her tally and as the clock ticked away this match was as good as won. City made two more changes with 20 minutes to go. Mel Garside handed over the captains arm band to Becky Griggs, Chelsey Faulkner moved up front and Mel Cropp and Kerrie Zserdicky came on in denfence to see the game through. City scored once more with a great header from Sarah Dickens and Guiseley got a well deserved consolation goal near the end for their never give up attitude. Match point was awarded to Whitney Taiwo for her endless work rate, her great strike on goal, setting up the second and playing through her injury as long as she could stand the pain.

                                                                                            Sarah Dickens: 2,59,65
                                                                                            Kirsty Russell  12,30,51.

                                                                                            Clare Fawcett  14,27,52,66,70,82.  

                                                                                            Vicki Wood  16. 
                                                                                            Amy Parker  23,36.

                                                                                            Becky Griggs  53,57.
                                                                                            Rosie Havelin  87.