CROSSFLATTS Village manager Kevin Gill was full of praise for his side after they beat local rivals Keighley Town 2-1 at Marley to reach their second consecutive Keighley FA Sunday Cup final.

Goals from Michael Garnett and Ronnie Cartwright put them in the driving seat early on and, despite a late goal from former player Danny McHugh, they held on to keep their trophy defence alive.

Gill said: “I am so proud of every single one of my players, who all put in a shift on a very muddy pitch. It was hard work but they all did their jobs.

"We only had 12 players to choose from because some players were injured or ineligible, but the players I brought in did us proud.”

Gill’s side adopted the 4-4-2 formation from the start and it paid dividends straight away. Man-of-the-match Matthew Bentham’s impeccable free-kick was headed home by front man Garnett after only four minutes.

Bentham was the provider again as Flatts doubled their lead after only ten minutes. His corner found its way to the evergreen Cartwright, who made no mistake from just inside the area.

Both sides missed chances before Town, who had put an extra man up front, got a goal back on 82 minutes after a corner caused havoc in the Flatts box and Town midfielder McHugh finished well.

Keighley tried hard to force an equaliser but they ran out of time.

Gill added: “We got we deserved. The work-rate and effort all over the pitch was second to none. Matthew Bentham was man-of-the-match for his two assists, but special praise has to go to Billy Bailey, Stephen Schofield and 'Rocket' Ronnie Cartwright.”

Flatts’ opponents in the final will be Bradford Sunday Alliance Premier Division side Bradford Phoenix in a repeat of last year’s final that Village won 2-1.

Phoenix won 3-0 at Keighley Athletic in the other semi-final.

Town return to Wharfedale Triangle Premier Division action on Sunday when a win at Yeadon Vets would see Keighley leapfrog them into second place.

Crossflatts visit Yeadon Athletic, while Cullingworth Youth's next match is at Salts on March 5.