Soccer: Keighley & District Alliance

He beat two defenders before unleashing a shot which hit the back of the net following a deflection from an opposition defender.

Much of the game was spoilt by a strong swirling wind, but it helped Shoulder start brightly. They powered into attack and twice broke clear, their forwards finding themselves with only the keeper to beat, but twice they shot wide.

Gradually Skipton came more and more into the game but it was 30 minutes before Ali broke the deadlock.

Four minutes later Skipton added a second and they were 3-0 up by half time, although the Skipton keeper had been forced to make a couple of excellent saves.

Shoulder were to regret not taking full advantage of the wind in the first half when Skipton piled on the agony. They scored a further two goals before Shoulder picked up a consolation effort and Skipton went on to score three more.

The final score was 8-1 with the Skipton scorers being Ali (2), Ian Barnard (2), Ian Tyler, Richard Osadzenko, David Sharp and a J Wigan penalty.

The consolation for Shoulder is that they have already booked their place in the Jeff Hall Cup final.

The second semi-final, between Three Horses and Midland, was a much closer affair with extra time being required to decide the outcome. There was little to choose between the teams in the first half with Three Horses scoring the only goal of the period just before the break.

Both keepers were kept busy in the second half but neither side was able to score until, with the 90 minutes almost up, Midland found the net to take the game into extra time.

Three Horses again took the lead before Midland hit back with two goals to grab a place in the final.

The game was marred by an injury to a Three Horses player which required hospital treatment.

Midland scorers were Marcus Barnes, Peter Dawson and Nino Ferrar.

There are no games this Sunday as it is District Cup Final weekend.