Cowling 3 Oxenhope 9

West Yorkshire League Premier Division side Oxenhope eased their way into the second round of the County Challenge Cup with a comfortable victory over their top-flight Craven League neighbours.

The underdogs gave them a scare, leading 3-1 after half an hour, but three quick goals before the break allayed their concerns and in the second half it was one-way traffic. Cowling took the lead in their very first attack and ten minutes later a neat passing movement saw them double their advantage.

The visitors pulled one back when Tom Marshall's cross fell to the left peg of Michael Garnett to drill home. Cowling refused to be intimidated and regained their two-goal lead, when their speed on the break undid the visitors' defence to make it 3-1.

On the half-hour Oxenhope’s Leon Smith beat his marker and rolled the ball into the box for Sean Quinlan to finish. Minutes later Rec were level when a Quinlan corner was headed in by Garnett and the big striker notched his hat-trick before the break, once again nodding home a Quinlan flag-kick.

After the break the visitors reduced the home team to occasional breakaways. A Metcalfe free-kick was floated into the far post and, in the melee, Chris Day headed in.

Smith used his speed before chipping the advancing keeper for number six and another Quinlan corner was once again converted by Garnett for his fourth.

A Joel Gallagher free-kick was forced in by defender Liam McNicol, while Gallagher himself got on the scoresheet when he fired in from a tight angle.

Oxenhope, who travel to Cononley in the next round, return to league business with a trip to Otley Town (2.30pm) on Saturday.

West Riding County Trophy

Gildersome Reserves 0 Oxenhope Reserves 4

Oxenhope’s second string continued their fine start to the season under new manager Steve Davies to reach the second round.

They went ahead when Dale Hawker delivered a fizzing cross for Andy Fox to head in. Two minutes later, a James Bailey cross set up Hawker to turn and shoot home through a crowded box.

The visitors went three up on the half-hour when Lewis Hopkinson slid the ball into the path of Will Lee to run on to and round the keeper to slot home.

After the break Oxenhope took their foot off the gas and it was not until late on that sub Karl Wellard pounced on some poor defending to score number four.

In round two they will face stiffer opposition at Robin Hood Reserves. This Saturday they will attempt to maintain their position at the top of the West Yorkshire Alliance League when they host Wetherby Reserves at the Recreation Ground (2.30pm).