Berry Brow 4 Oxenhope Rec 5 (aet)

Oxenhope progressed to the last 32 of the County Cup after overcoming dogged opponents from the Premier Division of the Huddersfield League.

A heavy pitch, that resembled a ploughed field as the game progressed, made it hard for the West Yorkshire League outfit to play their usual fluent passing game.

But they took the lead on 25 minutes when Michael Garnett and Gaz Ritson linked up for Dan Moriarty to finish.

The visitors then laid siege to the Berry Brow goal with a succession of corners. Garnett also forced the keeper to turn a powerful shot round the post.

Ten minutes after the break the Worth Valley side extended their advantage when Chris Day drove home a Moriarty corner.

The home side pulled one back from a corner and levelled on the hour-mark after their front two exchanged passes.

Oxenhope regained the lead when Moriarty crossed to Ritson, who presented the opportunity for Garnett to score with a thunderous strike.

A mistimed challenge by sub Karl Wellard in the area saw Berry Brow pull level from the penalty spot.

On 80 minutes Rec were awarded a penalty themselves for hand-ball and Scott Nelson made no mistake. Minutes later Oxenhope were reduced to ten men when Ben White was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The visitors held out until virtually the last kick of the game, only for the home side to snatch a late equaliser.

Despite being a man down, Oxenhope’s superior fitness told in extra time. The deserved winner came midway through the first period as man of the match Day rose highest to head home his second from a Moriarty corner.

This Saturday (1.30pm) Oxen-hope face another cup tie as they travel to Fields in the West Yorkshire League Cup.

Oxenhope: Hudson, White, Nelson, Trowers (Wellard), Walton, Metcalfe, Bailey (Collier), Moriarty, Garnett, Day, Ritson (McNicol).