Another magnificent performance from the U14s meant they saw off West Yorkshire rival Huddersfield Town in dominative fashion. With 2^nd place still in sight of City, the U14s knew that a win would significantly boost their chances of a runner up spot.

And, it didn’t take City long to open the scoring in the tie. After early spells of possession City were quickly rewarded with a 1-0 lead through Josie Bower. An excellent through ball from Jodie Burton released Josie who was placed with a 1v1 opportunity with the Town keeper, only to see her effort well saved but then rebounded back into her path, for Bower to finish neatly into an open net.

Immediately after their goal, City continued to attack. This time Shannon Moore came close with well struck half volley, and intimidating runs from Chelsea Morton caused panic throughout the Town defence.

However, it wasn’t long before Huddersfield found themselves back in the game when they grabbed an unlikely equaliser. A patient attack from Town was thwarted by a strong but late challenge from City winger Emma Moorehouse on the edge of the penalty area, and when City stopped expecting a free kick to be awarded for Town, the referee waved play-on for Town to fire the ball home from distance.

But, the equaliser seemed to inject more life into City who soon came back into life and once again began to dominate possession. City were then handed a life-line after 20 minutes when the Town keeper had to be taken off through injury. Chelsea Morton met a majestic through ball from Simone Thornton, unintentionally stretched for a loose ball, connecting with a brave, oncoming Town keeper, who unfortunately broke several ribs in the incident.

It wasn’t long before the stand in keeper was called into action. First she superbly prevented an excellent effort from Chelsea Morton who fired a strong shot towards goal. 5 minutes later she denied Chelsea again with another excellent stop.

Chelsea’s patience paid off however, after chasing down what seemed like a lost through ball, along with a Town defender, only for the Town defender to put the ball into her own net after intense pressure from Morton. 2-1 to City at half time.

The second half began brightly for City as it did in the first. Almost immediately from kick off Simone Thornton tried her luck from distance with a high powerful shot, only to see it sail over the bar. From here City began to dictate the pace of the game with large amounts of possession and they were soon able to play their typical style of confident possession football. 

Half way through the second half the stand in Town keeper was once again called into action when she made another excellent save, this time it was to prevent Josie Bower from scoring another.

But, Josie’s patience paid off when she did find her second goal of the game. Once again, a well placed through ball from Simone Thornton released Josie who created a 1v1 opportunity with the oncoming Town keeper, and Bower calmly slotted the ball home to make it 3-1 to City.

Shortly after it was 4-1. This time it was Simone Thornton who made it onto the score sheet with what proved to be the goal of the game. A wonderful passing move was started by Emily Walker at left back, who played an intelligent pass to Emma Moorehouse down the left wing, who then released Simone who beat the offside trap to score with a cheeky finish from all of 6yds out.

A magnificent team performance from the City U14s, which prepared them in the best possible way both physically and mentally for their all important County Cup Final match against York City on May 4^th!  

For the second consecutive game, City U14s were made to rue a host of wonderful goal-scoring opportunities, after another magnificent performance only ended in a draw.

The game started very brightly with both teams exchanging attacking vows but both teams failed to hit the target of one another’s respective goals.

On the 15 minute mark City almost broke the deadlock through inform midfielder Jodie Burton. Jodie who displayed her positive attitude by droving through the heart of the Howden midfield in possession of the ball, only to see her low shot saved by the Howden keeper from around 10yds away.

5 minutes later, City had another excellent opportunity to score the opener, this time it was Simone Thornton who fired a long distance shot just wide, after a wonderful attacking display of football from City.

On the 20 minute mark City were inches from taking a deserved lead. Top-scorer Chelsea Morton cleverly glanced a header onto the top of the crossbar after meeting a magnificent Thornton corner kick. However it was from the resulting corner that the deadlock was broken, but it was Howden that grabbed the goal. With the ball rebounding off the bar Howden were able to clear the ball to their lone striker Charlotte Booth, who met the ball with an explosive amount of pace to go beyond City keeper Abbie Thackray and score an easy tap in from all of 6yds away.

Undeservedly, City were once again 1-0 down at the break. The Girls new that they were the form team going into half time and the setback seemed to inject a lease of passion into their game during the second half.

City began the second half in the same way as they did the first half, playing confident football and attacking well. Shortly into the second half Jodie Burton released Chelsea Morton who met the through ball at pace but just fired the ball wide from the edge of the Howden penalty area.

Soon after that, Morton was released once again and seemed to be through with a clear 1v1 opportunity with the Howden keeper only to be brought down by the last Howden defender, earning a free kick for City from around 20yds out. From the resulting free-kick up stepped Simone Thornton who has proved to be a free-kick specialist this season, only to fire the ball just over the bar.

As the game entered the final 5 minutes City went to drastic measures to try and grab a well-deserved equaliser, and began to play a very unconventional 3-3-4 formation, with Emma Moorehouse, Chelsea Morton, Simone Thornton and Josie Bower all playing as strikers.

And, the ‘new look’ formation paid dividends when City finally found the back of the net. It was another scintillating drive from Jodie Burton who cut inside the Howden penalty area to once again see her shot saved by the keeper, but only for the loose ball to fall to Simone Thornton who was perfectly positioned at the edge of the box to fire the ball home into an empty net, netting her 7^th goal in 6 games.

A quality team performance all round once again from City who again deserved at least a point for their efforts and determination to continue their fight for an equaliser, after a frustrating afternoon in-front of goal. 

The U14s unluckily, suffered only their second defeat of 2008 as they went down 3-1 to fellow second spot chasers, Lepton Highlanders.

Prior to kick off their was only 3pts separating City in third place and Lepton in second, and City looked the most threatening during the opening five minutes if the match. City knew that being able to keep possession of the ball consistently would be the key to success during today’s game and it was a wonderful spell of possession that nearly lead to the opening goal of the game. A dozen intricate passes were played throughout the City midfield before striker Josie Bower was released down the left wing, to cut inside the penalty box and fire just wide. Soon after, inform midfielder Simone Thornton tried her luck from distance only to be prevented by a good save fro the Lepton keeper.

City continued to pressure the Lepton backline with fast flowing attacks and they soon had Lepton on the ‘back foot’ half way through the first half, when Lepton were required to begin playing with five in defence, rather than an original four.

Mid-way through the first half City were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead when top-scorer Chelsea Morton created a 1v1 opportunity with the Lepton keeper, only for her shot to be saved, and the rebound to be struck onto the crossbar from Josie Bower from around 12yds.

City then had a close range shot cleared off the line when Bower fired a ferocious shot from the edge of the box, which was cleared by a line of Lepton defenders.

The City half looked promising for City who were certainly on top of their opposition throughout the first half, with keeper Abbie Thackray touching the ball only a handful of times.

The second half began in the same way the first half for City. A magnificent through ball from Jodie Burton released Morton who just fired her shot wide of the target.

From here on the game began to become more open, with Lepton beginning to create a number of goal-scoring opportunities themselves. 10 minutes into the second half they tested the hands of City keeper Thackray for the first time, with a close range effort, but still no goal.

However, City felt hard done by when the deadlock was broken 17 minutes into the second half in the favour of Lepton. A high corner kick found its way onto the edge of the City 6yd line where the Lepton striker was left unmarked to fire the ball home from close range.

This setback seemed to spark even more life into the City squad who once again found themselves on to top of the game, continuing to press the Lepton defence and test the goalkeeper but still not score for a battling City.

Then, the turning point in the game arrived when City were reduced to 10 players. Defender Rachel Maloney met a ’50-50’ tackle along with a Lepton player, and unhappy with the challenge, Maloney had a moment of madness, lashing out at the Lepton player off the ball, earning a straight red card from the referee.

But, with 5 minutes left, City finally hit the back of the net and deservedly so. A free kick was awarded to City 20yds from goal. Once again, up stepped a confident Simone Thornton who fired home a breath-taking 20^th goal of the season from the free kick. Thornton has now scored City’s last 4 goals, all from dead ball situations.

When it looked like City had found a well earned point, heartbreak coursed through the team when Lepton once again taking the lead with 1 minute left. An unmarked Lepton player who fired home from all of two yards met another corner kick.

Then within the dying seconds, City were caught on the break having only 3 defenders in position, and were punished with a well taken finish from the Lepton striker.

An extremely heartbreaking result after what proved to be without a doubt the best U14s performance of the season. Manager John Worsnop expressed to the team his personal disappointment for not supplying his 10 players with extra defensive cover after Maloney’s sending off. However, he expressed his absolute delight for the fantastic way in which his players played and the effort they portrayed throughout the game, which at the end of the day is why his players play for this club!!!

An inspirational performance from 10-man City saw them edge their way into 3^rd position in Div. 1, with a gutsy win over Goole Town who they leapfrogged in the process. Prior to kick off it was announced that three players from the U14s squad were absent through severe illness, leaving the U14s with just 10 players to compete for third spot against an inform Goole Town side.

The game began brightly for City who attacked with menace, posing a threat to the Goole keeper a handful of times within the opening 5 minutes. Top-scorer Chelsea Morton was playing as a alone striker for this ‘third spot’ clash and was proving a danger to the Goole back-line after beating the offside trap by latching onto several through balls from Simone Thornton and Josie Bower, but the score remained goalless.

However, the deadlock was broken on the 15 minute mark by Goole Town. A free kick was conceded by the City defence and up stepped the Goole No. 7 who fired the free kick home from all of 30 yards.

But, it was only until 4 minutes later when City grabbed a well deserved equaliser through inform striker, Josie Bower. Bower drove with the ball down the touchline gliding by 2 Goole defenders, to cut inside and finish from a narrow angle, almost from the corner flag.

The equaliser then sparked more enthusiasm and passion into the City side, and almost immediately they then took a 2-1 lead. Bower picked up the ball on the half way mark to then dribble beyond several static Goole defenders, and unleash a thunderous drive from around 25 yards, which sailed beyond the reach of the keeper, off the inside of the upright and into the back of the net.

This goal then seemed to inject life into Goole who responded with consistent attacks and began to put City under immediate pressure. Just before the fist half was up, Goole grabbed the equaliser. A trademark long ball from the Goole No. 5 was met by top scorer Kirsty Nichols, who shifted the ball beyond an oncoming City keeper Abbie Thackray who almost preserved the 2-1 lead.

The second half began in the same way as the first with both teams attacking their respective goals. The lead was threatening to go to either side and tension was increasing throughout each team as the minutes went by.

Half way through the second half City began to take control of possession and looked the more likely of the two teams to take the victory. Simone Thornton tried her look from distance, just missing the frame of the crossbar. Then Chelsea Morton found herself in an almot certain goalscoring position in the Goole penalty area following a Jodie Burton cross, but was denied by the Goole goalkeeper who saved well.

10-man City continued to attack and looked determined to grab a deserved lead, but still could not find a way through.

But the game took an unusual turn in favour of City, when the Goole keeper was adjudged to have handled the ball outside the area. City were awarded a direct free kick from 20yrads out. And, up stepped Simone Thornton, who delivered what could prove to be the most important goal of the U14s campaign, with what was an astounding strike. Thornton struck the ball with a ferocious amount of power, which rocketed into the top corner leaving the Goole keeper helpless.

With 5 minutes remaining City defended like heroes and nearly grabbed a fourth, which would of sealed the game with a minute left, but the opportunity was prevented by the Goole keeper and cleared by her fellow defenders.

An absolutely inspirational performance by the U14s who positioned themselves above Goole, in 3^rd sport, leaving their manger, parents and supporters, happy but more importantly . . . proud!!

I (John) would like to give an enormous thanks to the parents and supporters for constantly encouraging the girls throughout today’s epic game, and I would also like to express how proud I was (and still am) of the 10-man U14s who displayed the most significant amount of passion, pride and enthusiasm I have ever seen of any team I have been affiliated with. QUALITY!

Hard work throughout their mid-week training session paid off for the City Girls who continued their excellent run of form in 2008, notching up their third win from games. The game against local rivals Farsley Celtic was played in blustery conditions and on a boggy Apperley Bridge pitch, and the Girls new that their typical playing style of keeping the ball on the ground was essential in order to break through the Farsley defence.

City played into the wind throughout the first half and within the opening minutes began to attack and provide cause for concern for the Farsley back four. It soon became imminent that the Farsley goalkeeper was going to be challenged throughout the game and she was called into action on several occasions to deal with a handful of Simone Thornton and Chelsea Morton crosses, which were unmet by City attackers.

The City Girls continued to attack the Celtic penalty area and Josie Bower and Simone Thornton came close with several shots from distance and close range. On the 20 minute mark City finally had the ball in the Farsley goal through top-scorer Chelsea Morton, however she was adjudged to be in an offside position when she met the ball, denying her a 24^th goal of the season. The City Girls felt unhappy with a goalless draw at half time after dominating the first half, creating dozens of opportunities, but not hitting the back of the net.

But, within 5 minutes of the game restarting, the Girls finally got the breakthrough they deserved. A wonderful flowing attack was prevented by the Farsley goalkeeper who then played the ball out to her fellow defender, only for the ball to be intercepted by Morton who instinctively lobbed the keeper, for the ball to be met from all of 2 yards out by oncoming attacker Josie Bower.

Soon after, it was 2-0 with Bower grabbing her second of the game. The goal was started by an excellently threaded ball from defender Rachel Maloney who found Kerry Spencer on the wing, and from here a handful of intricate passes throughout midfield found their way to Bower who drove through the Farsley penalty area to finish well from around 10 yards away.

With the wind blowing against them, Farsley began to struggle and even get the ball beyond the half way line, and City pounced on this opportunity with long-range shots from Simone Thornton and Shaunie Thorpe coming close.

Then, the game took an unexpected turn when Farsley grabbed a goal of their own. A sudden break after a City attack was finished in style from the edge of the box from the Celtic attacker.

However, this minor setback seemed to spur City on and the Farsley celebrations were short lived when City scored their 3^rd of the goal, and Bower grabbing her first hat-trick of the season in tremendous style. Once again, elaborate passes were played through the City midfield in confident fashion, and the ball was again played to the feet of Bower who turned just inside the penalty area and fired the ball home. 

From here City took full control of the game and began distributing the ball throughout each third of the field playing with a significantly high level of confidence. And, towards the closing minutes of the game City grabbed their fourth and final goal through midfielder Simone Thornton. Once again, a well worked move from City found it’s way to the wing when the ball was fired into the penalty area when it was met by Thornton who was stood on the penalty area, tuned on a sixpence and fired the ball home, scoring against her former club.

Another outstanding TEAM performance from the U14s who played exceptionally well. A huge ‘well done’ and element of satisfaction portrayed for each and every U14s player from the manager after the game, for converting a hard-worked training session into a competitive environment!