Oxenhope 6

Goole United 2

OXENHOPE produced a stirring second half display to progress through to the last 16 of the West Riding County Challenge Cup by beating Goole United, from the Humberside League, after being two goals down.

The visitors started much the brighter passing the ball quickly and accurately, as Oxenhope were reduced to chasing the game.

So, it was no surprise when, on 10 minutes, a long ball split the home defence and the Goole striker ran on to it, took a touch before calmly stroking the ball into the net.

On the quarter, a similar scenario doubled the visitors’ advantage, Oxenhope dug deep and steadied the game.

Scott Nelson was the first to test the Goole keeper and then good work from Lee Reilly saw his shot across goal with no-one there to finish.

The home side now started to dominate the play, a long-distance strike from the returning Sean Quinlan was dealt with by the visitors’ keeper.

Bootle were always dangerous on the break, though, with their speed and neat passing movement, Oxenhope keeper Ricky Driver had to be alert, making a diving save for a strike from distance.

Dan Moriarty then went on a strong run down the right, cut the ball back to skipper Joe Jalil, whose snapshot was again saved by the Goole keeper.

Oxenhope were now on the front foot but strikers Moriarty and Lee Reilly could not make their final strikes tell.

The closest effort when Reilly’s trickery on the byline, a cross from an acute angle and Moriarty’s glancing header was cleared off the line by a back-peddling defender with the keeper beaten.

The hosts continued to drive forwards after the break, Moriarty tested the keeper early in the second half with the custodian saving with his feet.

On 50 minutes they had their chance to get back in the game, Reilly dribbled his way into the area, received a heavy tackle and the referee pointed to the spot with Moriarty confidently dispatching the penalty off the underside of the bar.

Oxenhope continued in their offensive mode and 10 minutes later levelled when Nelson was put through, kept his cool, drew the keeper before stroking the ball into the net for the equaliser.

The pitch was now starting to cut up after the recent wet weather but Oxenhope powered their way through the mud.

On 70 minutes they took the lead, Driver drove down the right flank, played the ball to Nelson, he delivered a superb ball out to Moriarty, he waltzed his way past two defenders before powering an angled shot that found the net via the far post.

The home side now took control of the midfield with Danny Makinson putting in the tackles to win the ball, alongside Quinlan and Jalil spraying the passes.

Reilly received the ball on the edge of the box, weaved his way across the area, evading several challenges, lost the ball but his persistence won it back and then finished in style to make it 4-2.

Reilly again caused panic in the Goole goalmouth soon after and, when he was brought down, man of the match Moriarty secured his hat-trick from the penalty spot. In the dying minutes, Reilly added his second to make it 6-2.

Their reward sees them go through to the fourth round of the County Cup where they have a home tie against Church Fenton, from the York League in January.

Oxenhope are in cup action once again on Saturday, with a quarter-final tie in the Keighley Cup at FC Sporting (1.30pm).