It’s six wins on the bounce for Bradford City Women now after a 2-0 victory over local rivals Huddersfield Town on Sunday.
Both teams struggled to play high quality football in a game dictated by the poor weather, but it was two superb goals that won it for the Bantams.
A brilliant solo effort from Rosie McDonnell and a halfway line finish from Sarah Danby helped City make the late breakthrough and move up into fifth in the table.
With the heavens opening just as the referee blew for kick-off, the match was a hard-fought battle from the word go as both sides scrapped for possession. As a result, clear cut chances were at a premium in the first half.
Hannah Campbell was a nuisance for the entire 90 minutes as she ran herself into the ground pressing on the front line, and her effort and energy would help her get sniffs at goal as well as panicking the Huddersfield defence.
With only two minutes on the clock, she was almost in as she chased down Shauna Legge’s ball forward, but the visiting goalkeeper recovered from an initial misjudgment to thwart City’s attack.
Campbell looked the most likely to score of any in that first 45 minutes, but she would see a shot saved before putting another wide later on.
At the other end, Huddersfield did pose a significant threat despite being the underdogs for the points. However, most – if not all – of their chances came from free-kicks and Chloe Precious was on hand to deal with each in the home goal.
The best chance of the opening period came just past the half hour mark as a Bradford corner was delivered brilliantly from the right. Alarna Fuller, looking to thump in her seventh of the season against her former club, attacked it, but was unable to make contact by a matter of inches.
City looked to crank things up a notch after the break, with striker Emma Elliot introduced early while the Bantams themselves started to show more urgency going forward.
Just before the hour, Danby saw a low drive from 20 yards fizz past the post, while another long range strike from the forward would sail over the bar.
Huddersfield again were dangerous at set pieces, but City were able to scramble clear when asked to. The visitors’ best chance, and perhaps only real one in open play, came with 70 minutes played, but even then their captain couldn’t hit the target with a sweet strike out wide.
The breakthrough that City were threatening finally came with 76 minutes played as McDonnell gave her side the lead.
It was a brilliant solo effort from the teenager; seeing her beat Town’s right-back with her pace before she drilled her shot across the ‘keeper and into the far bottom corner.
Celebrations of both relief and delight erupted from the home bench, as well as their players on the pitch, with doubt having perhaps crept into their minds after all the effort they had given without scoring.
If there was any doubt about the three points though, they were put to bed in stoppage time when Danby rounded things off in style.
Elliot looked to be in on goal to try and seal the win herself only to be beaten to the ball by the ‘keeper, but her half-clearance fell to Danby who pinged it into an empty net from just inside her own half.
With the wind, rain and hail, it wasn’t the prettiest of jobs done, but it was a job done nonetheless that takes the Bantams up to fifth in the standings – only behind Nottingham Forest, in fourth, by goal difference.
It also means they head into Wednesday’s County Cup semi-final against Guiseley Vixens full of confidence, with them looking to retain their crown.
Meanwhile, City’s reserves are also on course for cup glory this season and are looking to raise funds for their troubles.
They take on Blackburn Rovers in the League Cup final next month, but are in need of funds for travel and accommodation as they head to the Midlands to stake their claim for silverware.
You can buy the limited edition BCWFC phone case in the Bantams Banter shop or head to the following link to help the club continue their fantastic season; all donations are massively appreciated! https://www.gofundme.com/uqw5mw9g