A LADIES football club in York is celebrating after reaching the Vitality Women’s FA Cup First Round proper for the first time in their history.

York Railway Institute Ladies sealed a 4-1 victory at Pools Youth Ladies in the Third Qualifying Round last Sunday to reach the fourth round of the competition for the first time.

They will now host Stockport County in the First Round proper at Holgate on Sunday, November 12 (2pm), in a tie that will be worth £6,000 to the winners.

A fantastic turnout of supporters, junior players and volunteers watched on from the sidelines as a Katie Duckworth double and second-half goals from Jess Baker and Lily Ashworth sealed the historic triumph.

Prior to that, York RI had overcome Farsley Celtic 2-1 in the Second Qualifying Round, with the club’s Under 10 and Under 11 Girls teams given the privilege of standing alongside the Ladies as mascots.

Coach Dean Cairns said: "The team loved having so many people there and definitely helped them put in a top performance.

“Having the younger girls come down really added to the occasion and hopefully, the girls now want to emulate the ladies."

Away from the Cup, the club has made a strong start to the North East Regional Women’s Football League Southern division, sitting at the top of the table after winning four of their opening five matches.

Despite their unbeaten run, Stockport will prove a tough challenge. They currently sit fifth in the FA Women’s National League, two divisions above the Railway Institute.

Leeds United Women, Bradford City Women and York City Ladies are also in that division, with the latter handed a home tie against FC United of Manchester in the First Round proper.

The opportunity to host higher opposition is an exciting prospect for the club, who are keen to cause one of the upsets that the FA Cup is famed for.

Kira Lewis, another member of the club’s coaching team, has urged the local community to turn out in support, saying: “Stockport County are two leagues above us. We are going to need a lot of support.

“A big game calls for a big crowd. We’re Looking forward to it!”

The Ladies’ achievement is the product of rapid growth at the club, which now boasts Wildcat sessions for girls aged five to 11, open-age women’s football and a newly-formed Reserves team.

A member of the club committee added: “Ladies and Girls football is going from strength to strength at York RI AFC.

“The Junior section has seen so much growth and success in the game, starting with our brilliant Wildcats sessions for 5-11-year-old girls and culminating in success including County Cup victories over the last few seasons.

“We have been running open-age women football sessions for several years now. It’s also been exciting to launch a Ladies Reserves team this season who have been a fantastic addition to the club and section. A huge thank you to all the coaches and volunteers at the club.

“But a special mention to a few unsung individuals who have helped build us to this point: Andy Dunlop, Pete Swan and Kat Richardson, without their time, energy and passion events like today wouldn't have been possible."

Anybody interested in getting involved with Ladies or Girls football at York RI should email the club on commsyorkriafc@gmail.com.