CRAVEN Minors reached the West Riding FA Minor Cup final after beating Harrogate 1-0 in the semi-final at Woodlesford on Monday night.

In a match officiated by Premier League referee Martin Atkinson, from the Heavy Woollen area, Craven had an unchanged side from the one that beat Goole the previous week.

They settled quicker and as early as the 7th minute a quick corner between Harry Thompson and Shaun Gardner created a cross, which the keeper pushed for a corner. The ball fell to Daniel Oldfield, whose clever lob over the keeper hit the far post, but the ever-alert Duncan Sullivan followed in for his third goal in the last two games.

A clever cross from the left from Szabolcs Sovago found Paul Oldroyd, who shot wide.

It was not all Craven, but their defence always looked solid, with Shaun Airey, Luke Ford and Tim Baines outstanding in front of the faultless Stuart Cross.

On 35 minutes, Oldfield forced a good save from the keeper, then Harrogate headed over from close range.

Within a minute of the restart, a lob from Sovago went just wide, then a break down the right from Gardner created another half-chance for Oldroyd.

Man of the match Harry Thompson and Adam Longden continued to master the midfield, and Sullivan's pace up front was a constant threat.

Harrogate had to go for it now, but Craven held on for a deserved win, with substitutes Jonathan Crabtree and Elliott Beagan playing their part in the last ten minutes.

Craven will go into next Wednesday's final against Leeds with the same squad.