Oxenhope Rec 13 FC Sporting Keighley 2

West Yorkshire League Premier Division side Oxenhope comfortably sealed their place in this season’s Keighley Cup final with a landslide victory over Craven League outsiders Sporting.

FC keeper Akhtar Ali produced some brave early saves but, after ten minutes, a spectacular corner from Ollie Metcalfe curled under the bar to put Rec in front.

On the quarter-hour, Dan Moriarty swung in another corner and Scott Nelson hammered home at the far post following a goalmouth scramble.

Moriarty scored himself with a good individual effort and followed up with his second when Metcalfe played him in, his pace taking him round the keeper.

On the half-hour, the striker claimed his hat-trick after running on to a through-ball and set up number six when his in-swinging free-kick was glanced into the far corner by Liam McNicol.

McNicol went on a marauding run through the visitors’ defence and finished powerfully to put Rec 7-0 up before Sporting’s Simeon Brown pulled one back before the break, cutting in from the right and firing in at the near post.

There was no let-up from Oxenhope in the second half as Michael Garnett, returning from injury, rattled the crossbar with a powerful header.

Soon after, Tom Marshall hit a fine strike from distance to make it 8-1. Leading goal-scorer Garnett was not to be denied as he used his strength to turn his marker and fire in number nine.

The pace of Moriarty and Marshall was a constant torment to the Sporting defence and they linked up well for the latter to net after a cheeky lob over the keeper.

Moriarty was then man handled in the box and Chris Day drove home the resulting penalty.

On 80 minutes man of the match Marshall secured his hat-trick when he jinked his way past defender after defender and fired in number 12 before Moriarty completed the rout with his fourth.

To their credit FC Sporting played the tie in good spirit, never gave up the battle and scored a late consolation goal.

Oxenhope will meet either Silsden Reserves or Manningham in the final due to be played in April.

This Saturday they make a third attempt to play their West Riding FA Challenge Cup fourth-round tie at local rivals Steeton (1pm).

Oxenhope: Lee, Nelson, McNicol (Day), Ward, Walton, White, Trowers (Ives), Moriarty, Garnett, Metcalfe (Quinlan), Marshall.