West Cheshire League 2, Yorkshire Old Boys' League 3

In a feisty contest, the Yorkshire Old Boys' League progressed to the semi-finals of the FA-sponsored National League Systems Cup by winning a high-tempo game at Vauxhall Motors' ground but having to survive a nervy final ten minutes.

The more incisive visitors went ahead in the 28th minute when a Tom Marston corner, surely engineered on the training ground, was bullet-headed home by skipper Tom Priestley.

With the home side in disarray, Matty Lloyd ran into the box after being put through by Marston. He was brought down and, as night follows day, John Mallinson coolly slotted home the ensuing penalty.

This led to a fierce assault on the Old Boys' League's goal and, just when it seemed this had been repelled, Alan Bull stroked the ball home to make the score 2-1 following a right-wing cross with just about the last kick of the first half.

The second-half onslaught from Cheshire was expected but the visitors' defence held firm, with Collegians keeper Sam Burns making the most of his opportunity with his faultless handling and command of his area.

The back three of Dave Ashmore, Paul Smith and Priestley were in total control, while midfielders Sam Clark and Steve Tierney were inspirational, with good old-fashioned tackling and superb distribution.

Wide players Marston and Mallinson had perhaps the most difficult task of the afternoon, having to track back against two superb Cheshire wide players.

Up front, Lloyd and Matt Jackson worked tirelessly, and their energy and close control often caused panic in the County defence.

The Old Boys' cause was helped by West Cheshire having a player sent off and this led to a respite, with Lloyd making use of a gift pass from a Cheshire defender to take the ball into the penalty area and confidently slot the ball home in the 66th minute.

This rebuff acted as a rallying cry for the ten-man Cheshire outfit, although poor Old Boys' League passing did not help.

A clumsy challenge meant Cheshire were down to nine men but it says much for their character that Bull succeeded in hitting home from the edge of the area when he should have been closed down.

Five minutes' injury time did not help but by then Cheshire were a spent force.

Yorkshire Old Boys' League: Sam Burns (Collegians): Dave Ashmore Medics), Tom Priestley skipper (Trinity OB); Paul Smith (Medics: John Mallinson (Stanningley OB), Sam Clark (Hudd Amat), Tim Bridge (St Nicholas); Steve Tierney (Stanningley OB); Tom Marston (Trinity OB): Matty Jackson (Gildersome Spurs);Matty Lloyd (Medics). Substitutes: James Parkinson (Ealandians, for Tierney, 70min); Michael Joyce, for Mallinson, 80min); Chris Fosker (Medics, for Tim Bridge, 87min): Not used: Paul Gales (Medics), Daniel Thackray (Gildersome Spurs).