Keighley FA Challenge Cup quarter-final: Steeton 2 Oxenhope 3

A FANTASTIC fightback from holders Oxenhope saw them come from 2-0 down to reach the semi-finals of the Keighley Cup.

It looked as if the Worth Valley side's three-year reign as district knockout champions was coming to an end after they conceded twice in the opening 20 minutes but they battled back to level before Michael Garnett grabbed a late winner.

The home side made the ideal start as Lee Reilly headed home Olly Hunter's cross and Hunter soon doubled the advantage when he curled a free-kick past the wall, beating Nick Hudson at his near post.

Scott Nelson had gone close for Rec sandwiched between the goals but Oxenhope manager James Bailey wasted no time in changing their formation from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 and the move paid dividends.

Within five minutes, the hosts pulled one back. Dan Moriarty curled in a decent corner but it seemed a routine catch for Steeton’s keeper Wayne Mahomet, only for the ball to squirm out of his hands and into the back of the net to give Oxenhope a lifeline.

The holders now got up a head of steam with Tom Marshall and Moriarty using their pace down the flanks and the strength of James Gill and Michael Garnett creating problems for the Steeton defence.

A long ball by Gill found Garnett and the big striker muscled his way past his marker but Mahomet did well to tip the ball round the post.

Oxenhope maintained their hunt for an equaliser after the break and were thwarted by a great save from Mahomet, who atoned for his early error. A corner from Moriarty was met with a firm header by Nelson but somehow blocked on the line by Joe Mason.

At the other end, Alex Yates had a great chance to increase Steeton’s lead but his header from an unmarked position was straight at the grateful Hudson.

Oxenhope's equaliser came when Sam Murphy played in Gill, who flicked it into the danger area and skipper Lewis Hopkinson converted with a powerful header.

The leveller seemed to spur Steeton on. Andy Briggs went close for the home side while Tom Sowerbutts' shot lacked enough conviction to trouble Hudson.

With the clock ticking down, Hunter burst through the middle on a mazy run and looked odds-on to score, but Hudson produced an incredible save to keep the game level.

As the pitch became heavy, the tie looked like it was heading for extra-time when, following a free-kick, Gill smashed the ball across the goalmouth and Garnett was on hand to side-foot home before being mobbed by his team-mates.

Steeton were left to rue missed opportunities, while victory for Oxenhope was a big confidence boost in their fight against relegation from the West Yorkshire League Premier Division.

Both clubs return to action in the new year.

Oxenhope: Hudson, Fleetwood (Murphy), Williamson, Scott, Nelson, Ward, Hopkinson (White), Moriarty, Garnett, Gill, Marshall.

Steeton: Mahomet, Mason, Hunter (Butterfield), Morgan, Pearson, Hird, Holden, Sowerbutts, Reilly, Briggs, Richardson.