Guiseley AFC Ladies 8-0 Bradford Park Avenue

After a two-week gap due to postponement, Guiseley AFC Ladies faced Bradford Park Avenue Ladies in the First Round of the Women’s County Cup.

Bradford Park Avenue play two divisions below Guiseley and arrived knowing that they would need an extremely good performance to make the game competitive.

Guiseley had a much changed team due to injuries but it is testament to the strength of the Guiseley squad that they took control from the start of the game with Bethan Smith’s shot from the edge of the penalty area cannoning back off the crossbar.

The first half continued with Guiseley in total control and creating chances by passing the ball around well. Bradford PA defended well but were under such pressure that it was no surprise when goals started to flow and both Guiseley forwards (Charlotte Proud & Bethan Smith) completed first-half hattricks to give Guiseley a 6-0 lead at half-time.

Guiseley made all three substitutions at half-time with Caroline Hulme, Nadine Bates & Polly Fildes replacing Charlotte Proud, Emma Speer & Amy Parker.

Guiseley took a little time to start playing in the second half but Caroline Hulme then quickly added to goals to give Guiseley a lead of 8-0.

To their credit Bradford PA never stopped running and managed to work their way into the game – putting the Guiseley goal under some pressure without being able to create clear-cut opportunities and the ended without any further goals.

Guiseley progressed to the next round where they will play away at Bradford City, a team who play two divisions above Guiseley and will be a good test of Guiseley’s ambition.

Overall this was a good display and result and particular mention should be made of the performances of Bethan Smith & Rachel Landricombe on their first starts of the season.

Team: Boswell, Lowden, Burnham, Hunt, Davies, Welham, Landricombe, Parker (Fildes), Smith, Proud (Hulme), Speer (Bates).