Keighley & District Challenge Cup semi-final: Silsden White Star 0 Oxenhope 3

CUP HOLDERS Oxenhope, of the West Yorkshire League, eased through to the final against their Craven League hosts, who put up a spirited performance.

They had Oxenhope on the back foot in the early exchanges and, driven forward by inspirational skipper Gavin Shearer, made life difficult for the visitors as they struggled to get their passing game together, with White Star quick to close them down.

Oxenhope got a grip of midfield and the speed of Leon Smith started to cause problems. Twice he got through on goal but Star’s giant keeper Jethro Wilson blocked his shots and then tipped over a header from Tom Marshall.

At the other end a Silsden free-kick was hastily cleared off the line by Gaz Ritson.

On the half-hour mark, Oxenhope took the lead when Dan Moriarty's cross was met by Smith, whose shot was blocked only for Joel Gallagher to sweep the ball home.

Early in the second period the holders doubled their advantage. A long ball out of defence was seized upon by Gallagher and, one-on-one with the keeper, his shot from the edge of the box deceived Wilson for his second goal.

White Star upped their efforts but Scott Nelson and centre-half colleague Ollie Metcalfe coped with the pressure.

As the home side tired, Rec sealed their place in the final for the fourth time in five years when a well-measured Moriarty corner was headed powerfully home by man of the match Nelson.

Oxenhope will face Wilsden in the final at Silsden on Friday, May 6.

Oxenhope: Jackson, Scott, Ritson, Nelson, Metcalfe, Clewes (Blacka), Quinlan, Moriarty, Gallagher (McNicol), Smith, Marshall (Garnett).

West Yorkshire League Premier Division: Oxenhope 5 Wyke 0

Oxenhope got back to winning ways in midweek with a convincing victory to complete a league double over their opponents.

They took the lead after ten minutes when Tom Marshall jinked his way to the by-line and crossed to Leon Smith, whose strong shot was tipped round the post. From Dan Moriarty's resulting corner, Scott Nelson’s shot was blocked on the line but Joel Gallagher slotted home the rebound.

Jonathan Clewes tested the keeper with a rasping shot before Smith crossed to Gallagher, who swept in his second. Just before the break Oxenhope made it three when Luke Fleetwood, who had an outstanding first-team debut, played in Moriarty, who rolled the ball across goal for Marshall to slide the ball in at the back post.

Smith headed agonisingly wide after the break but the points were made safe on the hour when the hardworking Moriarty and Smith linked up, the latter crossing for Gallagher to claim his hat-trick.

On 70 minutes sub Sam Murphy made it five, latching on to a long ball out of defence from Dan Scott. At the other end Oxenhope keeper Eddie Jackson made a brave save one on one to keep a clean sheet.

Oxenhope entertain Leeds City at the Recreation Ground on Saturday (2.30pm)

Oxenhope: Jackson, Fleetwood, Ritson, Nelson, Metcalfe (Scott), Clewes, Quinlan, Moriarty, Gallagher, Smith (Murphy), Marshall.