Carlton aim to set up final with old friends

CHAIRMAN John Flynn is backing his Carlton Athletic side to see off Rimington in the West Riding FA County Challenge Cup semi-final tonight and set up an all-West Yorkshire League final.
Ross McKenly  of Old Mods comes away with the ballRoss McKenly  of Old Mods comes away with the ball
Ross McKenly of Old Mods comes away with the ball

Newly-promoted Carlton remain on course for an amazing quadruple with their Premier Division title bid strengthened by Saturday’s 3-0 success at home to Knaresborough Town.

And Athletic will now look to book a place in their second cup final at Fleet Lane in Woodlesford this evening where Flynn knows an ultra-tough test against East Lancashire League big guns Rimington awaits.

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Rimington were initially beaten by West Yorkshire League champions Field in the quarter-finals but Field have been thrown out of the competition for fielding an ineligible player – handing Rimington a reprieve.

“We know it will be a difficult game,” warned Flynn.

“They won the cup in 2013 and have a very good track record in the competition.

“They play in the East Lancashire League and have dominated it for the last decade.

“From what we know of them we are in for a very competitive game, but on Fleet Lane we should be able to get it down and play so we feel we have a real chance of meeting our old friends Beeston St Anthony’s in the final and make it an all West Yorkshire affair.”

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A brace from Scott Hargreaves and a Daniel Chadwick strike sent Carlton second on Saturday – two points above Beeston in fourth but two points behind leaders Field.

Carlton are also through to the Leeds & District Senior Challenge cup final where fellow West Yorkshire Premier title chasers Leeds City await.

“Theoretically, we can win the quadruple but logic says it’s a massive ask,” said Flynn.

“Carlton have been good enough and lucky enough to win the treble twice over the years but that doesn’t count for a thing now.

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“We have a relatively inexperienced squad and they have already exceeded expectations.

“Mark Pitts is doing a great job there the boys are doing us proud.”

Calrton could eventually face Beeston in the League Cup final after the Saints booked their place in the semi-finals with Saturday’s 3-1 success at Field which came after extra time following a 1-1 draw.

Christopher Wood netted for the hosts but was then sent off and Beeston progressed thanks to a John Mallinson brace and Lee Coleman strike.

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Victory followed Beeston’s 4-1 romp at Hunslet Club in the league on Wednesday evening when Wetherby Athletic were also 4-2 winners at home to basement club Knaresborough Town.

Leeds City have played three games more than the other teams in the top four but moved second with Saturday’s 4-1 triumph at second-bottom Wyke Wanderers.

Sam Digby notched for the hosts but City’s Joe Dixon, Adam Dutson, Barrie Frankland and Jamie Thomson all bagged a goal each.

Fifth-placed Horbury Town lost ground after a 3-2 loss at home to seventh-placed Shelley. Lamin Bojang and Kieran Corley both struck for Horbury but they were undone by away strikes from Liam Berry, Allan Greenwood and Doran Jordan.

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Hunslet Club sit eighth after a 4-2 win at home to Oxenhope Recreation, achieved thanks to a Lee Turner double plus a goal each from Killian Mabey and Kyermeh Samuel. Leon Smith and Owen Williamson netted for the visitors. Robin Hood Athletic booted six points clear of the bottom two as a Christopher Brown strike sealed a 1-0 win at third-bottom Otley Town while fourth-bottom Brighouse Town were chinned 3-2 at Wetherby Athletic who sit sixth.

Peter Kuleczko was at the double for Brighouse but Domonic Creamer, Charlie Yates and Marcus Day were all on target for Wetherby.

In Division One, Stanley United took another step towards sealing the title with a 2-1 triumph at fourth-placed East End Park. Goals from Joe Childs and Nathan Smith outweighed the home effort of Edward Wileman.

Second-placed Sherburn White Rose were 3-0 winners at home to Boroughbridge thanks to an Arran Hudson hat-trick while third-placed Headingley – who have games in hand – obliged by the same score at home to Leeds Modernians.

Timothy Curtis, Oliver Carter and Richard Booth netted for Headingley but Booth was later sent off.

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