Oxenhope 3

Addingham 6

ADDINGHAM blasted into the last four of the League Cup with an outstanding display against a team bolstered by seven first team players from the County Amateurs.

The day had not started well for Addingham as Philip Smith and Chris Boyce had both failed fitness tests. Their loss was Simon Collins and John Cumming's gain. Collins was switched to a more favoured central midfield role and Cummings, presented with his first start of the season, grabbed the role with relish to fully justify his match point.

Oxenhope won the toss and strangely elected to play up the infamous slope. Their decision was soon shown to be a wise one, with the bonus of the extra first team quality they played the best football Addingham had seen this season.

With ten minutes gone the visitors failed to clear their lines and Bairstow fired Oxenhope into the lead. That lead was doubled with the next attack as some lackadaisical defending allowed them another clear strike that Andy Dobson was helpless to keep out.

For the third time this season Addingham had a veritable mountain to climb, earlier deficits of two and three respectively against Carlton and more recently Hellifield had been overcome, but up against a team showing such quality and desire the outlook appeared bleak.

Addingham began to come into the game and when Barrow's mazy run was brought to an end with a scything challenge, Brian Wild stepped up and calmly halved the deficit from the spot.

The Addingham revival was short-lived as Oxenhope worked the ball superbly to set up a cracking shot from Jason Lockley that flew in off the post. The visitors again had a two-goal disadvantage not to mention an uphill task in all senses of the word.

Strangely, as if of ten the case with this remarkable Addingham side, it's when the chips are down that their real ability shines through. Up the slope, 3-1 down, they turned up the heat and began to rip Oxenhope apart. Houlbrook playing wide right was superb, as was his opposite winger Marriot. It was Marriot's low swung cross that the Oxenhope skipper handled, gifting Addingham a second penalty that Wild struck away.

Again and again Duncan Tetley in the home goal denied the visitors with a fantastic succession of breathtaking saves. But even he was helpless to stop Barrow's wonderful equaliser. Andy Collins flicked on Cumming's long throw. Barrow, with his back to goal, flicked the ball past his marker, turned instantly and unleashed a beauty that Tetley at full stretch could get nowhere near.

Addingham were now chomping at the bit, pressing Oxenhope back continually, following a string of corners. They thought they'd got a winner but the Oxenhope defender handled on the line. The player was dismissed and Wild placed the ball on the spot looking to complete a hat-trick of penalties. The 'keeper was sent the wrong way but to Oxenhope's relief the ball rolled past the post and extra time beckoned.

Down to ten men the home side were always facing a struggle but even they were surprised by the total desire of the Addingham side.

Mills and Palmer linked up well down the left and Collins played in Barrow who smashed a real screamer past the 'keeper to put Addingham ahead for the first time.

The score stayed the same as the game moved into the second-half of extra time, on a muddy pitch. The legs may have been tired and heavy but Addingham still looked fresh as they piled on the pressure. With 10 minutes left captain Graham Dickinson ignored his manager's defensive policies and powered forward for a corner. His recklessness as proved worthwhile as he met Barrow's inswinger full on to put real daylight between the sides.

Oxenhope had given their all but had been no match for the visitors. Simon Collins capped a fine display as he smashed home number six near the end as Addingham powered into their third semi-final in five years.

l On Saturday Addingham travel to Oxenhope again in the league.

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