VISITORS Oxenhope Recreation scored half a dozen goals for the second consecutive weekend, as they beat Sporting Keighley 6-3 in a thrilling Keighley FA Challenge Cup tie.

It was a credit to both sets of players that this clash took place at all. It was played at Marley on an artificial pitch in Arctic weather, with severe cold, biting winds accompanied by sleet and rain.

In the early exchanges, FC Sporting acclimatised better to the conditions and passed the ball well.

Gradually, Oxenhope started to come more into the game with Tom Marshall and then Luke Scott testing the home keeper but Sporting were always dangerous on the break down both flanks.

On the half hour, a Sean Quinlan strike forced the keeper to turn the ball round the post and it was from the resulting corner the visitors took the lead.

Quinlan and Marshall performed a short corner routine, with the former taking the ball to the edge of the area before producing a clever, curling shot that found the far corner of the net.

Soon after, Oxenhope doubled their advantage. Danny Makinson played in a looping cross that Dan Scott guided in at the far post.

The visitors appeared to be in control but in the final five minutes of the half, Sporting bounced back, scoring two quick goals to level.

The first saw a speedy break down the left and a goal from the resulting cross. Then in the final minute, another cross was converted at the far post.

Early in the second half, Oxenhope regained the lead. A James Bailey corner was played to Marshall, he cut in along the byline before producing a measured cross for Scott Nelson to hammer into the roof of the net.

Sporting surged straight downfield from the restart and grabbed another equaliser. The chill was so intense that even the artificial pitch was starting to freeze over as players struggled to keep their footing.

On the hour, the visitors regained the lead. Man of the match Nelson picked up the ball just over the halfway line and used his strength to muscle his way past two defenders before blasting the ball beyond the keeper.

The game now swung from end to end, Sporting were kept at bay by two smart diving saves from Oxenhope keeper Ricky Driver, who turned one onto the crossbar and safety.

On 75 minutes, the visitors restored their two-goal advantage. A Bailey free kick found Nelson and he played in Lee Reilly, who finished confidently from close range.

Five minutes later the same pair combined again, with Reilly grabbing his second. Sporting continued to battle but Oxenhope were in no mood to let their advantage slip for a second time.

At the final whistle, both teams were only too pleased to retire to the warmth of the dressing rooms, as Oxenhope booked their place in the Keighley Cup semi final.

Team: Driver, Ward (Hopkinson), Scott L, Jalil, Scott D, Makinson, Bailey, Nelson, Reilly, Quinlan, Marshall (Williamson)