Oxenhope 3 Long Lee 2
In a repeat fixture of two weeks ago in the Keighley Cup, Oxenhope came up against local rivals Long Lee again, in the quarter-final of the Northern Plant Hire Trophy.
The home side found themselves comfortably 2-0 up after just 20 minutes.
Scott Nelson opened the scoring after 22 minutes when he hammered in his shot along the deck from the edge of the box. Five minutes later he doubled his tally when he fired in from the penalty spot after Tom Wallbank was brought down in the area.
At half-time Oxenhope appeared to be heading into the semi-final draw but Long Lee were determined not to make it that easy.
Slowly but surely they came into the game and took the initiative from the cup holders. Midway through the half Andy Bennett scored a goal after scramble in the box.
Long Lee then equalised from an attack that Oxenhope failed to clear and the ball fell to Long Lee striker Joe Kershaw who volleyed it into the top corner.
Oxenhope's manager, Bob Beattie, sent on all three of his subs in an attempt to retrieve the situation, only to see new front man Chris Newman waste three glorious opportunities.
He stabbed his first shot past the post, stroked the next over the crossbar and then shot another wide. Extra time appeared to be looming but Newman turned from villain into hero when with four minutes left on the clock he rose with the keeper to a cross from the left and planted his header into the net.
So Oxenhope progress to their third semi-final of the season and although their Craven League title now appears to be beyond them they should have every opportunity of lifting some more silverware again this year.
This Saturday they face Grassington in the semi-final of the Craven League Cup, which they have won six times in the last seven seasons. Kick-off at Marley is at 1.30pm.
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