Bradford City Women continued their defence of the County Cup on Sunday, with a hard fought 2-0 win over Farsley Celtic taking them into the semi-finals.
Goals from Shauna Legge and Hannah Campbell gave them the victory, one which sets up a clash with local rivals Guiseley Vixens in the last four.
It was a very difficult game for the Bantams in the end, albeit due to the conditions – with the torrid weather making the surface even more of factor on the day.
With City unable to play the football they like, Farsley stood more of a chance against an opponent who hammered them 9-0 in the final of this competition last season.
The hosts were to be organised and well-drilled in defence as they tried to see off a superior opponent, but Legge’s early strike calmed any nerves and prevented the visitors from rushing things as they tried to break the deadlock.
Only 14 minutes were on the clock when the ball hit the back of the net, with a mazy run from Aqsa Mushtaq seeing her evade several challenges before her shot hit the post and was bundled over the line by Legge. It wasn’t the prettiest of goals, but it was one which gave City the upper hand relatively early on.
They were able to build on this before the break too, getting the second their dominance deserved as Campbell squeezed a shot home six minutes before half time. Mushtaq was again heavily involved, the teenager going on another good run before finding her teammate who finished clinically from a tight angle.
As well as Ellie Olds having a good effort in between the two goals, Legge came close to bagging a third for the Bantams as the break neared, only for her to be denied by the post.
Overall, the game was spoiled by the conditions, with promising attacks spoiled by the pitch and the weather. City did well to stretch and break down Farsley’s sturdy back line, but they struggled with the final ball due to the surface.
Long distance shots thus gave them their best chance of bagging a third, and there were a couple of these that came close in the second half – a half much less eventful as the weather worsened.
Olds struck an effort just over the bar, whilst Chantelle O’Hara saw one of hers well blocked as the Bantams looked for a more emphatic winning margin.
Campbell and Legge tested the ‘keeper in the home goal further, but they were unable to extend their side’s lead before the final whistle.
At the other end, it was a quiet day for Chloe Precious in City’s goal, who touched the ball just once in the opening 45 minutes. She did make a save in the second period from a free-kick, but it was a more than routine one as she assumed the role of a spectator for the majority of the match.
Precious is likely to have more to do in the next round against league rivals Guiseley, but given City’s comfortable triumphs over the Vixens in recent seasons, it is unlikely to be much more.
Before that tie though – which will take place on Wednesday 9 March – the Bantams are on their travels for two weeks in the league, with them returning to domestic action this coming Sunday, away at Nuneaton Town.