WITH their first team through to the West Riding County FA Challenge Cup final, Oxenhope thirds are also eyeing silverware after reaching the Division Two Cup final in the Craven League.

They defeated Manningham All Stars 3-2 in the semi-final and will play the winners of the other last-four tie between Sutton and Grindleton Reserves, which will be played at Marley on Saturday, April 18.

Oxenhope knew they were in for a tough test as Manningham had knocked out Premier Division side Wilsden in the Northern Plant Hire Trophy two weeks earlier.

The deadlock was broken on the quarter-hour when Chris Fazackerley played a weighted through pass to Tony Cooper, who drew the keeper and slid home. The veteran striker added his second soon after when he rifled a 40-yard shot into the bottom corner.

Manningham reduced the arrears when their front man was left unmarked at the back post but Oxenhope regained their two-goal advantage before the break when Nivard Trowers' inswinging corner was headed out but fell to Connor Madden, who produced an acrobatic overhead kick into the top corner.

In a tight second half the visitors pulled one back and pressed for the equaliser but Oxenhope saw the game out to reach their second cup final of the season, having already booked their place in the Keighley Supplementary Cup.

Thoughts of an all-South Craven final in the Division Three Cup were dashed when Cowling Reserves went down 9-3 at leaders Carleton in one semi-final and Cross Hills Reserves fell 4-1 at Trawden Celtic Reserves in the other semi-final.

Leaders Sporting Keighley maintained the pressure on title favourites Grassington United Reserves in Division Two with a Shazaib Hussain-inspired 5-1 victory over them.

Sporting are now four points ahead but second-placed Grassington have two games in hand, while Broomhill and Oxenhope Recreation are also threats.

Ninth-placed Cononley Sports caused a minor tremor with their 6-4 home victory over sixth-placed Grassington United in the Premier Division, Sam Woolley (4), Reece Fowler and Liam Molloy netting for the winners, but there was no seismic upset when leaders Cross Hills faced basement boys Embsay, the scoreline being 4-0. Bradley Fay won the man of the match for the winners.

Meanwhile, Bradley, who are tenth in Division One, went down 4-1 at home to Ingrow & Worth Valley, who climbed from ninth to eighth.