Thornaby FC Women boss Curtis Collantine has urged his players to use one of the most significant results in the club’s history as a springboard for a flawless end to the season that could still end in promotion.

The Blues blew the North-East Regional Women’s League Premier title race open on Sunday with a stunning 4-1 demolition of Bradford City at Teesdale Park.

The result, following the 3-0 defeat to the Bantams earlier in the season, was a statement of intent, ripping up their opponents’ previously perfect record and proving that Thornaby has the quality to challenge for the top spot.

The emphatic win lifts Thornaby back up to second in the table. While they sit eight points behind the leaders, Collantine’s side holds two crucial games in hand which could see that deficit slashed to just two points.

However, despite the euphoria of Sunday’s performance, Collantine has immediately refocused his squad on the task at hand – winning every remaining game, starting with a trip to Sheffield to face eighth-placed Brunsmeer Athletic this Sunday.

“Our ambition is to get promoted,” Collantine said. “For us to do that, I know with the quality we have got in our squad that we have to go and win every single game. The girls know that, and that is our aim.

“We have to push Bradford as far as we can. Because of the goal difference – Bradford are currently 27 goals better off – we have to score a lot too. The ambition is there, and we are focused on the here and now and getting promoted.”

Sunday’s performance suggested that such ambition is justified. Thornaby took the game to the league leaders immediately, taking the lead inside six minutes when Robyn Foster reacted sharpest to a ball rebounding off the crossbar.

The lead was doubled in the 22nd minute through the impressive Sophie Curle, who slotted calmly past the goalkeeper following a swift counter-attack.

Before the break, the duo combined beautifully, with Curle turning provider for Foster to net her second at the end of a flowing move.

Although Bradford pulled a goal back after the hour mark, Curle sealed the points in the closing stages, latching onto a through pass to wrap up a memorable afternoon.

Former Bradford player Collantine said: “It was extra special because of the dominance Bradford have had in the league so far. I told the girls before the game that I believed in them, and with the quality they can produce, I knew we could get a result.

“My links to Bradford City added an edge to it against a club I have been part of before, but I am really pleased to show the quality these girls have.

“It was a fantastic performance. The progress they have made in such a short space of time is testament to the hard work and relentless nature they have put in on the training field.”

Collantine, who only took over before Christmas, was keen to highlight that the physical dominance shown against the league leaders was no accident.

“We are very proud of the progress and they executed the game plan very well,” he said.

“When we took over, we wanted them to have purpose with the ball, but also to be energetic and press to get the ball back. I demand fitness improvements and hard workouts, and it was satisfying to see them get the rewards.

“We have set the standards in terms of quality on the ball, the energy and intensity, and the way we want to be off the ball. We won’t take our foot off the gas. We need to keep improving week in, week out.

“It is up to the girls to have that intrinsic motivation, and I will be creating that motivation and demanding it from them as well. They are a fantastic group of girls.

“If we put the work in now, then in six weeks’ time we will benefit or in six months’ time, we will benefit – if we do get promoted we will be ready or we will be ready to attack the league next year.”