Ilkley snatch title from Wyke Wanderers at the death

The first of these saw Wyke Wanderers travel to Ilkley Town for the Premier Division title decider.

The first half of the season provided no clue as to the final positions in the Premier Division, with both Ilkley and Wyke having mixed results, with promoted Farsley Celtic and Leeds Medics & Dentists leading the pack at the time. But the second half of the season saw both Farsley and the Medics suffering losses, leaving the door open for Ilkley with a eight-game unbeaten run, and Wyke with an amazing 10-game winning streak, to take the top two slots.

Wyke went into their game at Ilkley equal on points but knowing that only a win would do to secure the Premier Division championship, as, despite having an identical number of wins and draws throughout the season, the “Baht-Bonnets” had a superior goal difference going into the final League fixture.

Wyke went into the game with key players missing, including the league’s top scorer. A change in formation was a risk that Wyke were willing to take.

Wyke started slightly nervously and things didn’t seem to click. Mid-way through the half, Ilkley went ahead, as Nat Eustance put the ball in the back of the net following continuous pressure. Wyke reverted back to their traditional formation and things settled a little. A Wyke goal was disallowed but they continued to press to try and find an equaliser.

In the second half, Wyke found some rhythm, playing good spells of football, and moving the ball well. An equaliser from Kirsty Russell-Holt gave Wyke some hope to push for a winner but Ilkley’s Jess Begbie scored Ilkley’s winner from a goal-mouth scramble.

Wyke were fiercely competitive throughout the game but Ilkley have now achieved back-to-back title wins in a highly-competitive League.

Meanwhile, Thackley were away to Bradford City’s u23s, knowing that victory for the DennyGirls would secure them the Division One title.

As the pressure built up in early exchanges, it seemed only a matter of time before a breakthrough, and it came on 8’ when Molly Ellis wound in and out of the City defence to cut the ball back to Zoë Roberts, who fired into the bottom corner. With Thackley having the lion’s share of possession, chances came thick and fast. Towards the end of the half, a Bradford City player was judged to have handled in the area, Kayley Hird stepped up and fired the ball into the top corner.

On 57’, a perfect corner from Roberts was met by a perfectly-timed run from Sophie Moulden who headed underneath the bar and got on the score sheet. On 79’, Ellis fed the ball to Victory Chinweuba who had all the work still to do, her back to goal she effortlessly rolled the City defender, rushed through on goal and found the bottom corner, her birthday goal securing a 4–0 Victory, and in turn the Division One title.

League Cup finalists Thackley end their season with a rare mid-week match on 7th May, as they travel over to Golcar United, who need a win to stand any chance of finishing above Knaresborough Town for the second promotion place.

League Shield finalists Bradford City u23 complete their season on 11th May, at home to Huddersfield Amateur.

In other games, Route One Rovers came out the wrong side of a 6–1 scoreline at home to Division Two champions Rangers Athletic, Megan Medley with a consolation.

Fellow West Riding County Trophy finalists and Division Three champions Eccleshill United ‘did the double’ over Wortley with 11–2 and 11–0 scorelines.

Last weekend saw Eccleshill beat SpongeBob Square Pants in the final of the East Coast Beach Soccer Tournament at Bridlington, then a 10–2 win away to Harrogate Railway Reserves saw them complete a 100% season in the League, with 16 wins in 16 matches.

In the FA National League, Halifax FC wrapped up their current tenure in the Northern Premier Division with another game of two halves away to Stoke City.

A good first half saw them going into the interval all-square but two quick-fire goals after the break gave the Potters the advantage, with the game ending in a 4–0 loss for the Eagles.

In Division One North, Leeds United put in an impressive display to power past Chorley.

A brace for Kath Smith, a first in club colours for defender Shauna Legge and a Goal-of-the-Season contender for Amy Woodruff, made it a 4–1 victory for the Whites.

Leeds rounded off their season with an emphatic win over York City.

A brace from top-scorer Amy Woodruff, an header from ex-MinsterBelles mid-fielder Alice Hughes and a superb strike from distance from Ellie White, fired Leeds to another 4–1 victory, ensuring a fourth-placed finish in the standings.

The match marked the last game in club football for Sarah Danby. The long-standing midfielder, who started her career at home-town club Sunderland at 15, has also played for Bradford City, where she amassed an impressive 35 goals in 75 games over three seasons.

Danby also proudly captains the GB Police team. Following a penalty shoot-out win against their Hungarian counterparts, they will be participating in this summer’s USPE European Championship Finals between 16th and 23rd June at Lohne (Germany), before Danby ultimately hangs up her boots.

Huddersfield Town were hoping to finish on a high, but were disappointed to lose 1–0 to title hopefuls Cheadle Town Stingers, who just missed out on goal-difference to Middlesbrough FC.

Town’s final game away to already-relegated Doncaster Rovers Belles saw many chances but it was a 4–0 loss on the day.

Looking forward to the summer, Crossley Belles are holding a 6-a-side Tournament on 26th July at Illingworth Sports Club.

Interested parties should contact the club via social media or through WhatsApp on 077872-559518.