West Riding County FA Challenge Cup semi-final: Oxenhope 2 Salts 0

OXENHOPE created more club history when they progressed to the County Cup final for the first time at Woodlesford in front of a large crowd.

The whole squad produced an outstanding performance to set up a show-piece clash with fellow West Yorkshire League side Leeds City, who lifted the cup two years ago.

West Riding County Amateur League side Salts provided the early pressure as they sprayed sharp, controlled passes around the immaculate, large pitch at county headquarters.

Rec were reduced to chasing the ball but their defence coped with any danger and restricted Salts to just a single strike on goal that flashed wide.

Oxenhope started to come more into the game, with Leon Smith and Tom Marshall looking dangerous down the flanks.

On 20 minutes the breakthrough came when Smith forced a corner down the right. The ball was whipped in and Michael Garnett held the ball up before playing it to the advancing Scott Nelson to hammer home.

Soon after Dan Moriarty chased down a long ball and was one on one but the Salts keeper Danny Bailey saved well.

The opposition immediately broke downfield in numbers but Ollie Metcalfe cut out the danger with a well-timed last-ditch tackle.

On the half-hour, Oxenhope added their second. Liam McNicol pulled the ball back for Garnett to fire home with his right foot rather than his trusted left.

Soon after the big striker attempted an audacious overhead kick when he connected to a Marshall cross but the keeper saved.

Oxenhope then had a good shout for a penalty turned down when Garnett broke through the defence and was brought down from behind in the area.

Salts came out for the second half determined to make a game of it but Oxenhope’s back four dealt with everything they threw at them. Nelson and McNicol cut out the supply from the flanks, Jason Walton was dominant in the air and Metcalfe swept up any ball that did get through, which meant keeper Sam Lee was never really troubled.

In midfield, man of the match Josh Kaine was a tireless worker, covering every blade of grass and tackling everything in sight, supported by the industrious Sean Quinlan.

Tired legs took their toll on the hard-working Salts and Oxenhope had several chances to extend their lead. Marshall, who was a constant threat down the left, twisted and turned before delivering to Garnett but his strike was stopped when keeper Bailey sat on the ball.

Then, after good work by Nelson down the right, Moriarty smacked an effort against the upright. As the clock ran down, Oxenhope kept possession to see the tie out.

Fixtures now come thick and fast as the team try and catch up with their league programme. On Wednesday Oxenhope play Otley Town and on Saturday they entertain relegation-threatened Ripon City (2.30pm).

Oxenhope: Lee, Nelson, McNicol, Metcalfe, Walton, Kaine, Quinlan (Wells), Moriarty (Hopkinson), Garnett, Smith (Morris), Marshall. Subs not used Day, Ritson.