Silsden Whitestar 5

Oxenhope 1

CRAVEN League champions-elect Silsden Whitestar showed why they are unbeaten this season as they outplayed Oxenhope to go through to the Keighley Cup Final with a comprehensive 5-1 victory.

The home side started the stronger so it was against the run of play that Oxenhope took the lead on 10 minutes. A James Bailey free-kick was floated over to the far post, Dan Scott headed it back across goal and Tom Marshall was on hand to place the ball beyond the Silsden goalkeeper.

The home side continued to dominate play with Oxenhope goalkeeper Ricky Driver called upon to make several crucial saves.

Five minutes before the break Silsden finally got the reward their efforts deserved. A smart passing movement ended with their striker slotting the ball into the far corner for the equaliser.

The home side continued their relentless pressure in the second half with Oxenhope having to defend and rely on breakaways.

Scott cleared off the line and keeper Driver making a world class save from a vicious volley.

On the hour the pressure finally told another volley from the edge of the box this time found the net to give them the lead.

Oxenhope changed their formation in an effort to get back into the tie, but the home side were relentless and three further goals in the final quarter gave Silsden a deserved victory.