GARY Worby, who only took over in the nets ten minutes before the end of normal time when their keeper was dismissed, proved the hero for Oddfellows Arms Reserves in the first of the Bradford Sunday Alliance League's cup semi-finals.
In a GOALS AMATEUR CUP tie where opponents Aire Athletic Reserves were also reduced to ten men in the same incident, Worby made some smart saves in extra-time to keep the score at 2-2 before saving Aire's sixth penalty in the shoot-out. He then scored himself to give Oddfellows a 5-4 spot-kick victory.
The other semi-final took place on an adjacent pitch at Rawdon Meadows between Salts Reserves and AFC Titans, and was also 2-2 after 90 minutes.
Paul Bastowe and Will Meredith had got Salts' equalisers before Luke Robinson hit their winner in extra-time, Ben Meehan and a Daniel Price pearler having put Titans in front.
Stanningley Albion's influence in the PREMIER DIVISION title race was further loosened when, for the second successive weekend, they lost 2-1, this time to fourth-placed West Bowling.
Andrew Gallagher's shot into the top corner for Bowling was all that separated the teams at half-time in an excellent contest but leaders Albion came on strong in the second half and levelled via Adam Hunter.
Albion continued to dominate but could not get past defender Nick Cowling and Bowling got the lucky break they needed when Aidan Day's shot bounced over Albion's keeper for the winner.
Peel Park had the edge in quality when Adam Turner's 40-yarder in the second half gave them the lead against Sandy Lane, who had a penalty saved by stand-in custodian Steve Jarocky with ten minutes left.
Peel Park are now level with Albion but have a game in hand, while, at the other end of the table, Bradford Moor notched their first win of the season in emphatic style with a 5-1 scoreline at next-to-bottom Napoleons Casino, strikes coming from Abid Khan, Hassan Khan, Faisal Mohammed, Sharaz Mahmood and Mohammed Ismael.
Dan O'Donnell's hat-trick for Buttershaw Celtic gave them a 3-3 draw against George Hotel, who climbed to fifth, but Thornton United pose the greatest threat to Stanningley Albion and Peel Park after a 4-3 home win over Bolton Woods.
Oakenshaw are back on top of the First Division table after a 3-1 victory over former leaders Swaine Green, while Ithiam Yasir (2) and Tariq Hussain were on target for Bradford Horton Sports at Manningham in a 3-0 win, meaning only one point now separates the top four, with Sports in fifth four points back.
The first title of the season has gone to unbeaten Undercliffe Cricket Club in DIVISION 1A.
Their 3-1 victory at Stocks Lane Rangers, thanks to Mathew Tinsley (2) and a Ryan Donnan 20-yarder, assured them of the crown, and the Intake Road boys have won 13 and drawn one with two matches remaining.
Mill Lane remain third in DIVISION 2A after a 4-0 victory at second-placed Gallopers, Steve Hollingsworth bagging a brace, while Luke Holroyd got a perfect hat-trick for Grass Greener United in their 7-1 win at Wrose Albion in DIVISION 1B.
Thornton United Reserves spoiled Eccleshill Sunday's unbeaten home record with a 7-2 scoreline in DIVISION 2B, Steve Wilkinson getting a nap hand as they moved top, while Lyceum are up to third after a 2-1 win over visitors Westwood Park, Glynn Beale hitting the decisive goal to give himself an early birthday present.
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