WEST Riding County FA Challenge Cup holders Oxenhope will be hoping lack of match action will not hinder them in the Northern Counties Senior Cup semi-final on Saturday.

They return to County headquarters at Woodlesford, Leeds (2pm) - where they beat Leeds City in the final last May - to face Sculcoates, winners of the East Riding County Cup.

Sculcoates are currently third in the Premier Division of the Humberside, Hull & District League, while Oxenhope are sixth in the West Yorkshire League top flight.

Oxenhope’s preparation has not been helped by five postponements due to bad weather and they have played only once since the beginning of December.

By contrast, Sculcoates have played all four of their games in January.

Oxenhope had no game last weekend as the West Yorkshire League representative side had a fixture, while the Reserves’ match at Pool was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. This Saturday they entertain Boroughbridge (2pm).

Oxenhope Thirds climbed into fifth place in Craven League Division One following a 3-0 win at home to Bradley.

On a heavy pitch, it was the youthful legs of Oxenhope that came out on top over an experienced Bradley side.

Paul Quinlan and Tom Thompson went close early but Bradley were always dangerous on the break and Oxenhope keeper Ricky Driver had to be alert to tip a shot round the post.

On the half-hour Oxenhope took the lead when Sam Murphy crossed to the far post for Quinlan to score from close range. After the break Danny Fazackerley hit a vicious shot from distance that saw keeper John Naylor turn round the post. Eventually the pressure told when a break down the right by Kieran Henry saw Danny Driver's cross converted by Matty Klava.

With ten minutes remaining Quinlan added his second when he smashed home from the edge of the box.