South Durham & Cestria v Bradford City

What is developing into a 3 horse race for the title in this seasons Northern Combination brought two of the main protagonists together today in SD&C and the unbeaten Bradford City.

The girls made a decent start to the game trying to put Bradford on the back foot but were struggling to play their passing game on a difficult pitch which Bradford seemed to deal with better. Bradford forced a few corners and came close with a header while Zoe Ness surged past two defenders at the other end and flashed a shot past the keeper inches wide. Bradford took the lead on the stroke of half time after SD&C failed to clear their lines resulting in the ball falling to the City player who lashed the ball home.

HT SD&C 0-1 Bradford City

The girls were determined to make amends in the second half and drew level in the 66th minute with the best moment of the match. The ball was played to Zoe Ness who neatly flicked it to the on rushing Beth Hepple who unleashed an unstoppable shot over the keepers despairing dive. 1-1 and game on.
SD&C huffed and puffed but couldn't blow the Bradford house down while City remained a threat at the other end. The next goal would prove crucial and it was Bradford who grabbed it in the 77th minute. A bit of a scramble saw the ball break fortuitously to the City player who stroked a great cross with the outside of her boot for her teammate to nod in from a yard.
Bradford saw the remaining 13 minutes out quite comfortably to inflict defeat on the young SD&C side.

FT SD&C 1-2 Bradford City