Keighley & District FA Challenge Cup semi-final

Steeton 1

Wilsden Athletic 0

CRAVEN League Premier Division Wilsden Athletic proved stubborn opponents, and it wasn't until the introduction of substitute Graham Holmes in the last half-hour that Steeton were able to tip the balance and book a final against Oxenhope Recreation.

Mark McGee was unavailable for the hosts, so the No 11 shirt was given to Toby Rawcliffe, with Jack Richmond returning in midfield.

Ryan Cox and Richmond both shaved the bar as Steeton started slightly the stronger, with the latter and Tim Hird controlling midfield.

However, it needed smart work by home keeper Josh Brooksbank to push two near-post corners away before tipping a long-range shot over the bar.

But errors looked the only way that plucky Wilsden were going to score as home centre backs Arley Barnes and Sam Rooke were their usual calm, efficient selfs.

Nevertheless, Steeton would have been disappointed to reach half-time still level, although Wilsden had their moments on the counter-attack.

Joe Park's crosses could have provided a way through early in the second half, with Cox shooting narrowly over and Lee Reilly being thwarted by the Wilsden keeper after a superb first touch.

Steeton were at their strongest in the final quarter, however, with Andy Holden being the supplier of decent crosses, but Wilsden went close in the 63rd minute following a Brooksbank fumble.

With the influential Holmes now on, the deadlock was finally broken with 15 minutes left.

A free-kick was perfectly delivered by Holden and met at the near post by an unstoppable header by leading scorer Reilly – just reward for a striker who worked tirelessly throughout but who was generally foiled by a well-organised defence.

Shortly afterwards, Reilly was replaced by the equally industrious Ben Sutcliff.

Oxenhope Recreation beat Silsden Whitestar 5-0 in the other semi-final, but Wilsden can be proud of the way they conducted themselves in this tie, given that many thought they would concede far more than the single goal which knocked them out.

Steeton boss Roy Mason said: "Credit to Wilsden. They packed the defence and we found it difficult to break them down. In the end, probably the one bit of quality in the match saw us through."

Steeton: Brooksbank, Rhodes, Park, Barnes, Rooke, Richardson, Holden, Hird, Reilly (Sutcliffe), Cox, Rawcliffe (Holmes). Sub not used: Harding.