CRAVEN FA CUP

Skipton LMS 1 Settle United 1

(LMS won 3-1 on penalties)

SKIPTON LMS lifted the Craven FA Cup for the first time in 13 years after an enthralling final played in front of a bumper crowd at Skipton Town.

The match was a repeat of the 2003 final and two survivors from that encounter, Settle's player-manager David Worthington and LMS keeper Will Freakes played key roles.

Worthington was prompting his young side from midfield while Freakes was the match winner for LMS with three saves in the penalty shoot-out.

Settle dominated the game for large parts as they stifled LMS who just couldn’t get in to their rhythm. Settle created the early chances and Freakes was forced to make a couple of crucial saves from Mark Loughlin and Lee Walker.

Despite their nervousness it was LMS that had the better chances with Matthew Simpson and Ian Craven both failing to convert good opportunities.

Settle took control of the early exchanges in the second half and eventually took the lead through a Lee Walker goal after good work from Luke Hepton.

LMS still struggled to get a foothold on the game but a small tactical change saw their fortunes change.

They pushed for the equaliser and it duly came when Settle failed to deal with a free kick resulting in captain Chris Simpson smashing the ball home following good work from Joel Timmins and Ian Craven with virtually the last kick of the game.

Extra-time came and went with LMS dominating the 30 minutes as Settle began to tire. LMS failed to score the crucial goal and so the match went to penalties.

Freakes became the central figure as he saved three spot kicks while Ian Craven, Matthew Simpson and Chris Simpson netted to spark saw the LMS celebrations.

There were several eye-catching performances including Robert Bingham and Oliver Hurst for LMS, while the clash of Barnoldswick Town team mates Matthew Simpson and Elliot Firth was also a feature with Firth’s display earning him the Ronnie Jones man of the Match Award.

It was a good game to watch, one that certainly did the competition proud and sincere commiserations must go to Settle who played well.

Referee Matthew Buckmaster and his team of Ray Torczuk and Chas Veighey made an excellent contribution to the game.

For LMS the cup triumph crowned a campaign which saw them win the Craven League Premier Division title without losing a game.