After a 46-year wait the Wharfedale FA's Under-17 side won the West Riding County Minor Cup by defeating a battling Keighley FA side 3-1 in Saturday's final at Woodlesford.

Wharfedale, as one of the smaller associations in the county set up, had been underdogs for much of this competition which is played in two groups before semi-finals and a final at County HQ.

They last won the trophy back in 1967-68 season when managed by current Wharfedale FA Council member Peter Wigglesworth, who was there to watch this latest triumph.

It was a nice touch by the County FA to allow long-serving Wharfedale FA and County FA member Reg Allwood the honour of presenting the trophy to the winning Wharfedale captain Josh Snowden.

Play was scrappy in the opening stages before Wharfedale settled to play some good football with the strong running Dylan Palfreyman a danger.

Manager Colin Seal had to make a brave decision when Palfreyman was booked and left frustrated after failing to satisfy the referee with some of his challenges.

Seal removed the striker from the game in the knowledge that with the use of rolling subs he could bring him back later in the game.

His return proved to have a devastating effect for with the game in the balance at 2-1 with Keighley pressing Palfreyman produced a stunning strike worthy of winning any game.

Wharfedale opened the scoring in the 38th minute when striker Nathan McDonnell showed great determination to bundle the ball in on the line despite the close attention of the 'keeper.

Euan Sessford, who had scored a hat-trick in Keighley's semi-final swin over Barkston Ash, shrugged Will Wells aside to fire high into the net giving Greg Moorhouse no chance.

Just six minutes later Wharfedale were back in front when midfielder Joel Thompson was on hand to find the net before being submerged under a pile of celebrating players.

Keighley battled on and posed further problems but Wharfedale were not going to give in. Palfreyman sealed the result with a spectacular strike which left the goalkeeper helpless.

Wharfedale squad: Greg Moorhouse (Guiseley Academy); Josh Snowden captain (Guiseley U-17s/ Guiseley Academy), Bailey Worcester (Horsforth St Margaret's), Will Wells (Guiseley Academy), Simon Hall (Horsforth St Margaret's); Stephen Smith (Guiseley U-17s/ Guiseley Academy), Ben Taylor (Guiseley Academy), Joel Thompson (Guiseley Academy), Shaun Brooks (Guiseley U-16s); Dylan Palfreyman (Horsforth St Margaret's/Guiseley Academy), Nathan McDonnell (Guiseley Academy). Subs all used: Will Patterson (Guiseley Academy), Ben Palmer (Guiseley Academy), Jake Chambers (Menston Juniors), George Kear (Guiseley U-16s), Myles Foley (Guiseley U-15s).

The team was managed throughout the campaign by Guiseley Academy and Guiseley U-14 coach Colin Seal, assisted by Guiseley U-14s manager Gary Proctor and Guiseley U-17s manager Martin Snowden.