The start of the season had been long awaited and there was plenty of excitement in the air with new players, a (temporary) new home, and some heightened media attention that only the FA Cup can bring. Izzy Roads’ side had a lot to prove and the strongest possible line up was named on the day as the team aimed to progress one step further than last season.

AFC Tickton travelled well and brought a lot of support over from East Yorkshire, but shortly after kick off it was soon clear that Farsley had a lot more quality and experience in their team.

The opening goal came after 9 minutes from an unlikely source (one of a couple on the day) in vice captain Jenna Thompson as a corner was cleared out to her and her bouncing, looping effort wrongfooted the Tickton keeper and settled in the back of the net for her first ever goal in senior football.

Shortly after it was debutant Sophia Lyons who scored her first ever goal for Farsley after some determined work between herself and her strike partner Daisy O’Brien and moments later Shirley Murphy opened her tally for the season with a trademark goal after cutting in from the left hand side.

Sophia Lyons capitalised on a defensive mistake and managed to get to the ball first to poke it home for our fourth, and Murphy completed the first half with a fiercely struck effort that bounced off the underside of the crossbar and just over the line to give Farsley a commanding five goal lead at half time.

The second half started in very much the same fashion with Farsley on the attack when Brydie Greenwood picked up the ball on half way, dribbled past two Tickton players, and fired a fiercely struck effort that flew into the top corner of the goal. A possible goal of the season contender on opening day!

The scoring was wrapped up when Georgina Kaye scored on her Farsley debut to make it 7-0 and wrap up the victory in style.

Full credit to the young AFC Tickton side whose heads didn’t drop and whose goalkeeper pulled out a number of fine saves to keep the scoreline down.