Cross Hills' captain Gavin Shearer lifts the Keighley Cup.
Cross Hills 2 Oxenhope 0
A large following from the Worth Valley turned out at Cougar Park last Friday evening to see if their young Oxenhope side could fulfil the dream of winning the Keighley Cup for only the second time in the club's 96-year history, the last time was back in 1966.
The Worth Valley side gave it their best efforts but found it difficult to cope with the more experienced, big and physical West Lan-cashire League side who
imposed their style of play on the game.
In the early exchanges Oxenhope had the best chances and came closest to opening the scoring when in a goalmouth scramble striker Tom Wallbank's shot was cleared off the line.
Then after ten minutes a Cross Hills attack down the left was halted and the resulting free-kick was looped over defenders and Cross Hills midfielder Ian Craven headed back across the goal to narrowly beat keeper Pete Gower.
Cross Hills dominated the game with Oxenhope's midfield being overrun by their vastly more experienced opponents. Their playmaker James Gill and captain Gavin Shearer pulled the strings in the middle of the park.
Wave upon wave of attacks of long, high balls tested the Oxenhope defence but the pairing of young Jason Walton and John Leary headed clear every aerial assault that Cross Hills fired in at them. Oxenhope though always looked dangerous on the break with Liam McNicol a constant threat down the left flank and the tireless Tom Wallbank chasing every ball up front.
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After the break Oxenhope enjoyed their best spell of the game, captain Scott Nelson drove the team forward from midfield but his strikers found the efficient and well organised Cross Hills' defensive back line, marshalled by Stephen Throup, in no mood to allow Oxenhope time on the ball.
A snap shot from Wallbank flew just wide of the post and when 17-year-old full back Rob Pullan drove forward down the right and found himself on the edge of the area he saw his powerfully hit dipping shot skim the crossbar.
Midway through the second half the game was put beyond doubt when a Cross Hills' corner was not dealt with and was headed in from close range by Robert Bradley.
To their credit Oxenhope never gave up and continued to give everything they could. The tireless effort of Wallbank took its toll and he was replaced up front by substitute Chris Newman.
Newman saw his first effort test keeper Sam Smith in the Cross Hills goal and then with time ebbing away a goalbound effort from McNicol was denied by the crossbar - it was just not to be Oxenhope's night.
The crowd saw a gutsy performance from the young side but it was Cross Hills that deservedly went forward to collect the Keighley Cup.
Oxenhope must now put this defeat behind them and look forwards to their two remaining cup finals, the next in the Craven & District League Cup against Waddington at Skipton which was due to take place on Tuesday. It will be followed by the Northern Plant Hire Trophy final against Skipton LMS at Gargrave, on Wednesday, May 14. Kick-off is at 6.30pm.
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