Settle secure place in County Cup semi-finals

SETTLE United continued their remarkable resurgence over the past two seasons as they secured a place in the semi-finals of the West Riding County Challenge Cup with a hard-fought victory over their West Yorkshire League visitors.

The Mastab's Craven League Premier Division outfit – winners of last season's West Riding County FA Challenge Trophy – will now face Salts FC in the semi-finals.

Settle were cheered on by a good-sized crowd in a quarter-final tie that was played on an excellent surface.

Settle were quickly into their stride and took the lead in the tenth minute with a well-worked corner routine that fell to Ben Phillip to prod home his first goal for the club.

As the game progressed Oxenhope enjoyed some good spells of possession and were unlucky not to draw level when a shot cannoned back off the crossbar.

Defences on both sides kept chances to a minimum but as half-time approached, an excellent Matthew Cardus forward ball to the ever-dangerous John Beckwith resulted in him outpacing the defence to slot home.

The second saw the visitors exert pressure on the Settle defence and they scored their first goal through a penalty after keeper Sam Arrowsmith fouled an Oxenhope attacker.

The game was on a knife edge but the Settle defence, superbly led by Shaun Airey, looked to have weathered the storm, until they gifted Oxenhope an equaliser with five minutes remaining. Phillip put the ball in his own net following a goalmouth melee.

The game looked to be heading for extra time when Settle’s winger Cardus received the ball and burst into the penalty box where he was brought down. The ensuing penalty was hammered home by Settle's substitute Dale Denham.

The drama continued when Oxenhope made a last-ditch effort to level to save the game. A skirmish broke out after an attack petered out and an Oxenhope player being sent off.

Referee Justin Crowther had an excellent game, issuing seven cautions in addition to the red card.

Settle can be proud of their achievement in reaching the semi-final of this prestigious cup, following on from last season’s West Riding County Trophy win. Their starting eleven contained ten Settle-based players. They now face Salts FC on a date to be arranged at the West Riding County FA headquarters.