West Riding County Women's League Premier Division: Keighley Oaks 3, Hemsworth Miners' Welfare 2

WITH their potent mix of experience and pacy youngsters, Keighley Oaks gave one of their best performances of the season to defeat second-placed Hemsworth Miners' Welfare 3-2 at Bronte Playing Fields.

It was only the hosts' third league win of the season, and Oaks coach Neil Farley was in dreamland when they went 3-0 ahead after 27 minutes.

However, the bottom-placed club needed the grit and determination of players such as Mollie McMahon and Becky Granger, both of whom carried on playing when they were injured, to provide the kind of inspiration to get them over the line.

Having lost 6-3 at Hemsworth earlier in the season, Oaks gave Lauren Murgatroyd (left back) and Leah Gilmore and Lauren Adams (wingers) starts, and had fellow teenagers Kylie Armstrong and twins Isabel and Naomi di Franco on the bench.

Gilmore's cross gave Natasha Mulligan, making a rare appearance, the chance to put Oaks 1-0 ahead, and it was 2-0 after 18 minutes when Granger's free-kick from 35 yards out was volleyed home by McMahon from just inside the box.

Both teams then upped the tempo, but Oaks were defending well, and Mulligan made it 3-0 after 27 minutes, which was also the half-time score.

Hemsworth, as they had done at home, then brought their keeper out of goal, and the visitors scored after 51 and 62 minutes, although Oaks had chances to clear their lines on both occasions.

The hosts were on the back foot for the last 20 minutes, but, inspired by player of the match Beth Gaines, among others, they held out for a notable win.

Leaders Ossett Town, who have completed their programme with 22 points, are the leaders but second-placed Harrogate Railway Athletic are only two points behind them with two games in hand, the first of which is at Keighley Oaks on Sunday.

Hemsworth are third on 19 points with a game left, so are hoping that Oaks can do them a favour on Sunday. Athletic also have to play Bradford Park Avenue at home on Sunday, April 12.