Oxenhope march on as Cononley left done four

West Yorkshire League Premier Division outfit Oxenhope successfully steered their way into the third round of the West Riding County Challenge Cup with victory over their Craven League Premier Division hosts.

The home team battled well but Oxenhope’s class and quality in front of goal proved crucial.

The visitors took the lead after just five minutes. Ollie Metcalfe won the ball in midfield and played it into the path of Dan Moriarty, who took the ball on and rifled an unstoppable shot into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Minutes later Oxenhope doubled their advantage when full back Liam McNicol surged down the left, cut in along the bye line and played an intelligent ball across the face of the goal for Leon Smith to tap in.

Rec's keeper Sam Lee produced a fine diving save to tip the ball around the post from a rasping Cononley strike before Oxenhope made it three on the half-hour when Metcalfe threaded a ball into the marauding McNicol, who fired home from an angle.

Metcalfe then tried his luck with a shot from distance but the keeper turned it away for a corner.

Cononley came more into the game early in the second half but could not cut open a well-organised Oxenhope defence. The tie was made safe when Craig Morris crossed from the right and, though Smith’s shot was blocked, 16-year-old sub Lewis Hopkinson was on hand to fire home.

Hopkinson then produced a superb run down the left, tricking his way past three defenders before cutting in but his shot grazed the top of the bar.

In the next round Oxenhope host unbeaten Farnley Sports from the Yorkshire Amateur League. On Saturday they return to a mouth watering league fixture at home to Knaresborough Town (2pm).

Oxenhope: Lee, Day, McNicol, Nelson (Wells), Walton, White, Kaine (Hopkinson), Moriarty, Morris, Metcalfe, Smith.

West Riding County Trophy

Second Round

Robin Hood Reserves 1 Oxenhope Reserves 2

Oxenhope left it late to book their place in the next round with a last-minute strike.

They were missing several key players but had early chances. Grez Robinson played in Joe Brady, who rounded the keeper and squared to Tom Thompson who unbelievably missed an open goal.

Again it was Robinson pulling the strings in midfield, this time putting in Brady but his chip was caught by the retreating keeper.

They were made to pay for their missed chances as the home side took the lead after their striker latched on to a through-ball.

Oxenhope showed their character in the second half, drawing level early on when a corner from Robinson was powerfully headed home by Dale Hawker.

The tie became overheated as the referee flashed yellow and red cards. With a man advantage, Oxenhope pressed for the winner and, just as the tie looked destined for extra-time, youngster Tom Baker played a weighted pass to Brady, who squared to Thompson. He found the net to make amends for his earlier miss. In the third round Oxenhope entertain Mount St Mary’s first team.

This Saturday in the league they travel to Aberford Reserves, where they will hope to maintain their position as West Yorkshire Alliance Division One leaders (2pm).