REFEREE Danny Bennett was the busiest man in the BRADFORD & DISTRICT FA SUNDAY CUP semi-finals at Rawdon Meadows.
He booked six Mill Lane 2004 players and sent two off and cautioned four from opponents Queensbury and dismissed one as the latter won 4-3 in an incident-packed thriller.
Mill Lane were short-handed after 12 minutes when a defender received a second yellow card for deliberate handball, Queensbury romping into a 4-1 lead with a hat-trick from Lewis Forsythe and a strike from Ben Ellis.
With 15 minutes to go, Queensbury had a player dismissed, Lane pulling it back to 4-3 before they were reduced to nine men, having a man sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
Steve Hollingworth, Paul Hague and Lee Taylor were on the mark for Mill Lane but it was too little, too late.
In the other semi-final, played on an adjacent pitch, Thornton United Reserves had an off day in front of goal and were beaten by two well-taken goals from Lyceum's Aaron Heywood.
United did have a gilt-edged chance to get back into the match when they were awarded a penalty with 20 minutes remaining but the shot was ballooned over the crossbar.
In the PREMIER DIVISION, long-time leaders Stanningley Albion, who did not have a match, dropped to third as a comfortable win for hosts Peel Park over Bolton Woods moved them into pole position.
Skipper Mark Shute put the home side in front midway through the first half from a penalty, and top scorer Adam Turner doubled the lead with a long-range volley.
Peel controlled the second half and added a third when Anthony Hannan ran through to round the keeper and slot into the empty net but Woods showed their fighting spirit by grabbing a consolation goal in the dying seconds.
Man of the match was Allan Morley junior with another solid display at centre back.
Dave Wilson hit the opener as Thornton United moved into second place, beating George Hotel 3-2.
The visitors restored parity at the interval, only for Andy Benjamin to put United in front again.
George replied with a terrific goal from a free-kick but, with minutes to go, Deroy White got the winner for Thornton.
West Bowling beat Bradford Moor 6-1 on what was a mud heap in places, but Bowling's Aidan Day had an early penalty saved after he had been brought down.
Jorden Lee Hagyard put Bowling in front after 15 fifteen minutes and, using the wings intelligently, they made it 2-0 when Andrew Gallagher fired home from close range for Bowling's 100th goal of the season.
Bradford Moor won a penalty on a rare raid, Ali Adnaan converting it, but Day soon scored to give the visitors a 3-1 interval lead.
On the resumption, Joe Wood poached a goal for Bowling, Joe Brooksbabnk scored from the third penalty of the match and Ben Bodie wrapped things up with a long-range shot into the top corner.
In a very tight FIRST DIVISION, leaders Oakenshaw beat cellar-dwellers Red Lion 7-2, while White Eagles gained revenge for the defeat earlier in the season to Bolton Woods Socials and moved into third position on goal difference – although Eagles do have matches in hand on second-placed Swaine Green.
Visitors Socials started brightly but Eagles then took control, Danny Facey scoring with a shot that had the keeper rooted to the spot.
That was the only goal before half-time but Facey made it 2-0, and a spot-kick then stretched the margin.
Socials netted after a defensive misunderstanding but a headed goal from Danny Brown and a third from Facey completed the 5-1 scoreline.
Swaine Green beat Cuedos Rangers 7-1. Skipper and man of the match Sam Bradley got four, three of them powerful headers from quality Elliott Holmes' corners.
New signing Anil Singh had a great game for Swaine, bagging a brace, and striker Simon McQuiston finished the scoring.
After a scrappy and physical first half between Wyke Rangers and Ventus United, it was 3-3 in the second half before United finished off the hosts with three quick goals, Ben Summers getting a brace for the visitors
In DIVISION 1A, champions elect Undercliffe Cricket Club beat Upper George 6-2.
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