West Riding County FA Challenge Cup Fourth round: Oxenhope 3 Howden Clough 1 (abandoned after 35 minutes)

ATTEMPTING to claim a place in the quarter-final stage of the County Cup for the first time in their history, Oxenhope were leading 3-1 when they had their hopes dashed after the referee suddenly abandoned the game on 35 minutes, claiming the playing surface had become too dangerous.

The home side had taken the lead on ten minutes when Sean Quinlan’s free-kick from the edge of the box pierced the defensive wall and found the back of the net.

Clough broke down field from the re-start and snatched an equaliser but Oxenhope regained the advantage when clever play across the box by Josh Kaine allowed Michael Garnett to hammer home.

The home side had Howden Clough on the back foot but the visitors were dangerous on the break and Oxenhope keeper Sam Lee pulled off a superb double save to maintain his team’s lead.

On the half-hour Kaine set up Tom Marshall. His shot was beaten out by the keeper but fell to Leon Smith to score from a narrow angle.

Minutes later, the referee called time on the tie, so both teams must try again on Saturday (1pm) with Settle waiting for them in the quarter-finals.

West Riding County FA Trophy

Third round

Oxenhope Res 1 Mount St Mary’s 5

OXENHOPE’S second string bowed out of this season’s County Trophy with a luke-warm performance after a month of inactivity.

A first-half hat-trick from the St Mary’s striker did the damage before the break. The home side pulled a goal back early in the second half when a Nivard Trowers corner was floated in and sub Jonathan Clewes headed into the top corner.

Oxenhope got into the game, with skipper Will Lee, Joe Brady, Dayne Ward and Gaz Ritson going close but the contest was over when the visitors’ front man broke on the counter and scored his fourth before setting up a colleague for a fifth.

Oxenhope are in knockout action again on Saturday when they host Robin Hood Reserves (1.30pm) in the League Cup.