FC Farsley came into their home match against Lower Hopton Ladies full of confidence after three consecutive wins with four goals scored in each and expectations were high as the challenge was set to keep the good performances coming.

The opening exchanges were a balanced affair with Lower Hopton looking to get the opening goal to build their confidence but it was Emily Kilroy who broke the deadlock for FC Farsley, putting the finishing touches on a slick counter attack after being found by skipper Chloe Rimmer.

This was a shot in the arm for The Weavers whose attacking play looked likely to threaten the Lower Hopton goal throughout the first half however it would be Lower Hopton who struck next with a brilliantly taken goal that was fired into the bottom corner from outside the box with real menance.

The level scorelines didn’t last long though as Daisy O’Brien continued the great start to her first season of senior football with a very confident goal, fighting around a couple of defenders to make space for herself before striking it into the far corner from a wide angle to take us into half time with a slender, but well earned, lead.

The second half was more of the same from FC Farsley as Brydie Greenwood headed in an Imogen Nichols cross to make it 3-1 and Leah Cooper opened her goal account for the season after a lovely pace from Val Martin Tomas to make it 4-1 with 15 minutes to play.

The Lower Hopton goalkeeper made some incredible saves to keep the score down with particular highlights being a close range double save from Lucy Grice and a diving effort to keep out Imogen Nichols from distance and there was a glimmer of hope for the visitors when they scored a second with 12 minutes to play.

Unfortunately for Lower Hopton, Shirley Murphy was to have the final word on this contest. Collecting the ball in her own six yard box to defend a cross, Murphy turned out of danger and sprinted up the field, beat a few defenders with her trademark dribbling skills, before firing home from the edge of the area for one of the great Farsley Women goals.

The final score was 5-2 to FC Farsley, a well deserved victory to place us 2nd in the NERWFL Division One South at time of writing and putting us in a great place before we head back on the road next weekend to visit Altofts.

Player of the Match – Brydie Greenwood