West Riding County FA Challenge Cup Quarter-final: Settle United 3, Oxenhope 2

Oxenhope were knocked out of the County Cup by a controversial penalty in the dying stages at Settle.

A lack of match practice, with only one game in the last seven weeks (and that was on an artificial surface), and missing their leading goal-scorer Michael Garnett did not help their cause.

A lethargic start by the visitors saw Settle take the lead after just three minutes, when a corner was poorly defended and Settle’s Ben Phillip poked the ball home.

This gave the home side the impetus and Oxenhope were on the ropes but gradually regained their composure and started to assert themselves. A corner swung in by Tom Marshall was headed goalwards by Jason Walton but his effort smacked against the crossbar.

A marauding run down the left by defender Liam McNicol saw his shot hit the side-netting, Marshall shot straight at the keeper and good build-up play had Leon Smith through on goal but he dragged his shot wide.

These misses proved costly as, right on half-time, Settle burst down field and John Beckwith fired in from a tight angle.

Oxenhope responded from the start of the second period as they put the home side under pressure. Ten minutes in, Settle’s keeper Sam Arrowsmith rushed from his line and slid into the advancing Smith, Chris Day confidently drove home the resulting penalty.

The visitors pressed for the equaliser but found it difficult to break down a well-organised defence, marshalled by player-manager Shaun Airey.

On 85 minutes the pressure told when a free-kick from in his own half by Sam Lee was floated into the box. McNicol’s shot was blocked but sub Craig Morris reacted quickest to knock the ball over the line for the equaliser.

Oxenhope went for the kill but Settle broke down their left and cut into the edge of the area. Rec skipper Ben White stretched to take the ball but the referee pointed to the spot and, after much protest, Settle’s Dale Denham blasted past keeper Lee.

Oxenhope’s dream of reaching a semi-final at County headquarters at Woodlesford for the first time in their 103-year history was over.

This Saturday it is back to league affairs when they travel to Shelley’s immaculate ground (2.30pm)

Oxenhope: Lee, Day (Morris), McNicol, Nelson, Walton, White, Kane (Quinlan), Moriarty (Hickman), Smith, Metcalfe, Marshall.