HOPES of a County Cup final place for Long Lee Under-14's were wrecked by a very strong Thornes side, at the County FA's Woodlesford ground on Sunday.
The Long Lee team were the first Keighley side in their age group to reach a county semi-final and battled well in an even opening period with Graham Holmes and jack Kershaw going close. It was not until the 20th minute that Thornes finally took the lead following a well-taken free kick.
Thornes continued to press and Aiden Green made a couple of excellent saves to keep Long Lee in the match.
They were playing some excellent football in midfield and after a John Robertson break the ball was played to Like Scott who chipped the keeper to equalise. Thornes came back strongly towards the end of the half and scored two breakaway goals for a 3-1 half time lead.
Long Lee continued to press and the Thornes keeper was called on to make several fine saves. John Gunning and Daniel Hegarty were playing well in defence to keep the Thornes attack in check. It was not until the last 10 minutes that Thornes finally killed the game when the Keighley side was caught on the break as they pushed forward.
They continued to play excellent football, but the overall strength of Thornes which saw them through to a well-deserved final appearance against York Amateurs.
Cullingworth's Under-8 team enjoyed a convincing 4-1 win over local rivals Harden, despite an even first half. Harden were first to score, but within two minutes Cullingworth -were back on level terms after R Allen found the net. The home team scored three without reply after the break, Annas going through the entire visitors' defence before scoring. Daniel Smart got the other two Cullingworth goals.
Cullingworth Under-9's were on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline after travelling down the valley to Shipley. J Kennelly scored his team's only goal.
A refreshed Long Lee Under-13's B were unlucky to go down 3-2 at Eldwick despite being in the lead twice through Stefan Risidi and Matthew Langford. Thomas Abberton was man of the match with Martin Tremain also playing well in defence.
Long Lee Under-12's reached the semi-final of the League Cup with a 6-3 victory over Bolton Woods. John Clewes scored four goals with other strikes from Calum Flaherty and Kyle Richmond in a superb team display. The man of the match award went to the whole side.
Long Lee Under-10's B were beaten 8-0 by Silsden. Jake Thompson was Long Lee's man of the match.
Long Lee Under-8's A went down 3-1 in a close game with title contenders Shipley. The home side took the lead, but James Francis put the Keighley side level. After a poor first half Long Lee rallied but could not hold out. Jack Pearson made some brave stops in goal and Jack Hainsworth was man of the match.
Long Lee Under-8's B was heavily influenced by the weather with the Keighley side taking a 2-0 lead with goals from Matthew Kershaw and Thomas Arthurs. Niall Burke produced some quality saves in goal and Miroslav Allen was man of the match.
Long Lee Under-8's A went down 4-0 to Wyke A with all the goals scored in the first half. Once again Long Lee were left to regret being slow to get into gear and played much better after the break. Ryan Gaughan was man of the match.
In a reversal of the 'A' team game Long Lee Under-8's B beat Wyke 4-0. Scorers were Thomas Arthurs and Miroslav Allan who both bagged a pair. Matthew Pearson was man of the match.
Bracken Bank Under-10's drew 3-3 with Shipley C in a thrilling contest. The Keighley side took an early lead through Ricky Smith before David Hicks levelled things for Shipley. Declan Greenwood gave the Bankies a half time lead. In the second half Sam Rooke put Bracken Bank further ahead before goals from Mark Wilmshurst and John Hickman gave Shipley a share of the points.
Oakworth Under-14's battled through atrocious weather conditions to register a 3-0 victory over Thornton. A left foot cracker from Nicky Trowers opened the scoring following good work by Jack Simpson, to be followed in the second half by a slick finish from Adam Hewitt who capitalised on quality play by Chris Dunn down the right. Trowers completed the scoring to secure a home win.
Oakworth Under-9's A lost 2-1 at Wibsey despite playing attractive football. Joshua Tetley and Thomas Bardgett both had excellent games at the back while Nicholas Sperduto's tireless work was rewarded with a goal.
Oakworth Under-10's A drew 3-3 with Wilsden. After taking the lead through Thomas Clarke they were guilty of ball watching as Wilsden snatched a quick equaliser. The visitors took the lead before Adam Smallwood pulled things level on half time. Both second half goals were scored in the final minutes, first Wilsden then Oakworth's Andrew Fox with the last kick of the game.
Oakworth Under-10's B comfortably beat Wilsden 4-0. Paul Owens was the pick of the front line, scoring twice, with support from Thomas Thompson (1). Gareth Bannister had an excellent game on the left and goalkeeper Richard McCollough even had time to come out and score the fourth in the closing stages.
Silsden Under-11's reached the semi-final of the Craven League Cup with a 7-1 victory over Guiseley Dynamoes. They were 5-0 up at the break with goals from Sam Dowgill, Gian Luca Consoli, Alexander Pietrovito and two from Andrew North to put them firmly in command. The team's slick passing game really put the visitors under the cosh with Hamish Munro, Ross Croad and Clark Greenwood having excellent games along with man of the match Alexander Pietrovito.
Second half scorers were Pietrovito and a Jonas Bartle penalty. Goalkeeper Jason Perry and Adam McLean were strong in defence.
Silsden Under-7's beat Gomersal 2-0 with goals from Alaster Holliday and man of the match Jake Ingham.
Silsden Under-8's A secured a good point in a 0-0 draw against a strong Queensbury side. Tom Wilson was man of the match.
SilsdenUnder-8's B went down 4-1 to Queensbury with Josh Banks scoring Silsden's only goal. Thomas Sessford was man of the match.
Silsden Under-9's D were beaten 5-2 by Nab Wood. Peter Nicholson and Luke Lavelle scored Silsden's goals.
Silsden Under-10's A secured a 4-0 victory over Long Lee. Man of the match James Greenway also got on the score sheet, with other goals from Alex Baldwin and Thomas Beeley (2).
Silsden Under-10's B secured an 8-0 victory over Long Lee with goals from Thomas Wood (3), Jack Ogalbe, Ryan Kidney (2) and Joe Murgatroyd (2). Jack Ogalbe and Jacob Fessenfeld shared the man of the match award.
Bolton Woods Under-11's A beat Silsden 1-0 with Cobbydale keeper Jason Martin taking the man of the match award. There were also good performances in defence from Luke Lockwood and Chris Baines against a strong Bolton Woods team.
Silsden Under-12's A missed out on a place in the semi-final of the Craven League cup when they were beaten 4-1 by Bingley. Defensive mistakes cost Silsden any chance of progress. Nick Mcnally scored the only Silsden goal and Gavin Shearer was man of the match with James Holden and Daniel McNulty also having good games.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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