Keighley u-17s 4 Craven u-17s 0

KEIGHLEY comfortably progressed into the semi-finals of the West Riding County FA Minor Cup for the third successive year after beating their neighbours at Silsden.

After the game had been postponed on four occasions, the hosts initially lacked their usual fluency against a spirited Craven outfit.

Chances were few in the opening exchanges until Sam Fox was brought down, with the referee pointing to the spot before he strangely reversed his decision after discussions with the assistant.

The reprieve for Craven was only brief as two minutes later a neat through ball by Harry McGowan found Fox bearing down on goal and he made no mistake, firing into the top of the net to ease any nerves.

Six minutes later Keighley doubled their lead when Tom Baker coolly slotted home as he found himself with a yard of space in the area.

With the hosts using their rolling substitutions well, keeper Eddie Jackson made a fine save from Craven’s only shot on target at the beginning of the second half, and with the central midfield duo of James Gilmartin and Alex Wysocki now controlling the game more, spaces were being created.

Callum Franklin and Matthew Klava were also gaining a foothold in the game, which also paved the way for man of the match Kieran Henry to make the extra support in midfield which resulted in Ben Cox weaving his way through to fire home the third.

With time running out, Klava slammed home from close range to give the scoreline a more emphatic look.

Nevertheless, Keighley were looking to improve in their final group game against Bradford, which was due to take place last night. The semi-finals at Woodlesford are scheduled for Saturday, March 28.

Manager Charlie Wysocki said: “Our performance was strange as, although we did not play with the normal fluency, we did not look like we were ever going to struggle to win the game.

“We may put this down to the fact that we have not had a competitive game for four months.

“We have a squad of players that are showing the right attitude and commitment to representing their district and the hunger for success is apparent.

“The semi-final is what we have strived to achieve each season and this is the third year running we have reached this stage. Last year’s disappointment of losing in the final is spurring us on to go one better this year.”

Keighley squad: Goalkeepers – Matthew Fleetwood, Eddie Jackson; defenders – Keann Shaw, Kieran Henry, Dan Scott, Lewis Hopkinson; midfielders – Tom Baker (capt), James Gilmartin, Alex Wysocki, Harry McGowan, Matthew Klava, Callum Franklin, Sam Murphy; forwards – Sam Fox, Owen Williamson, Ben Cox, Callum Holmes.

Silsden u-18s 2 Steeton u-18s 5

With 13 wins and one draw this season, Steeton showed why they are top of the league.

Silsden defended valiantly in the first half and held out until the 43rd minute.

Within six minutes of the restart the Chevrons led 3-0 after an own goal by Jake Lee and a close-in flick by Josh Ferguson.

Andy Briggs reduced the arrears after a quick Silsden break. Another fine run by Briggs saw him foiled by a point-blank save by Josh Ridley. Instead of 3-2 it became 4-1 with a smart counter-attack by Steeton.

Back came Silsden with a lovely goal by Sam Maude from outside the area but a final flourish saw Steeton score their fifth with a drive by Jack Wrigglesworth in the last minute.

Once again Mateusz Wasielewski had a fine game in goal for Silsden and defender Morgan Bridge worked tirelessly.

Jonah Smith and Tom Leach were Steeton’s other scorers.

Oakworth Wasps u-14s 8 Bradford Utd Falcons u-14s 2

Wasps got back to winning ways as Josh Rule put them in front. Falcons equalised before man of the match Luke Hegarty restored Wasps’ lead with the first of his four goals.

Oakworth were 3-2 up at the break and dominated the second half.

Rule scored his second with a wonderful right-foot effort from the wing, while further goals came from Cameron Dowse and Tyler Green.

*Wasps lost 2-1 and drew 1-1 with Alpha Sports in a double header. Tom Boddy hit the bar for Oakworth, with Rule scoring in their first match and Hegarty in their second.