REPORT BY: ADAM BRIDSON

SKIPTON United were crowned winners of the Wharfedale FA Sunday Cup at Nethermoor Park, Guiseley, following a five star performance which was simply too much for fellow finalists Ventus United on April 14.

The 5-0 win capped off an excellent season for Skipton who sit top of the Wharfedale Triangle League in their debut season in the league.

Ventus started the game strongly when captain Adam Turner stung the palms of George Gregson who then reacted excellently to deny Caleb Keighley as he followed in on the rebound.

Skipton responded with an effort of their own but Aaron Vaughan’s strike sailed out of the ground causing Kiel Townend in the Ventus goal no concern.

Skipton were beginning to stamp their authority on the game and a defence-splitting pass found Ben Schindler through on goal. However, Townend dashed off his line to clear the danger before Man-of-the-Match Danny Hunt’s cross flew just past the post.

The game continued to be played at a frantic pace and a loose ball in midfield fell to Freddie Maddocks but he shot straight at Townend.

With 30 minutes on the clock Skipton came close to breaking the deadlock when Shaun Airey leapt highest from a corner but Joe Piotrowski cleared the ball from under his own crossbar to deny the centre-back the opening goal.

The deadlock was finally broken with less than 10 minutes of the opening half remaining. Will Beresford slotted calmly past Townend after cutting back in the box, a deserved goal for the side playing in the Wharfedale Sunday Cup for the first time.

A few seconds later Skipton nearly doubled their advantage when Hunt took aim from 30 yards out. Goalkeeper Townend could only watch on in relief as the ball grazed the roof of the net on its way over.

With the half coming to a close Skipton went close again when Schindler lofted the ball over the Ventus defence for Beresford who was beaten to the ball by the onrushing Townend. Schindler shot the rebound just past the post, with the Ventus stopper stranded well out of his area.

The last chance of the half was created by Maddocks who took a quick throw to find Beresford through on goal. The number nine laid the ball off to Vaughan but he took too much time and allowed Townend to recover and stop the shot.

Vaughan should have doubled his side’s tally in the first minute of the second-half when he was left unmarked at the back post.

A low cross found the winger and after two mis-kicks by the Ventus centre-backs they were relieved to see Townend get down low to stop the shot at his near post.

The second goal came not long after though when Peter Roberts pulled the ball back for Beresford who powered the ball past Townend for his second of the day.

Beresford nearly had his third a couple of minutes later when Schindler laid him in behind the Ventus backline but Townend dashed off his line to smother the shot from a tight angle.

The third goal came when a mistake in the Ventus backline left Beresford through on goal with only Townend to beat but he unselfishly laid the ball off to Vaughan, who had the easy job of tapping the ball into the empty net.

Seconds later the game was out of sight for Ventus when Roberts cut in from the left hand side to fire a powerful, curled shot past Townend - an exquisite finish from the left-back.

Skipton added to their tally with 15 minutes of the game left when Maddocks was found free on the right and fired a powerful drive past Townend.

Further gloss was added for Skipton when substitute Ewan Johnstone acrobatically got on the end of an over hit cross and went for an overhead kick at the back post. This found Kyun Ellison free two yards out from goal and he made it 5-0.