Junior Football: Crusaders' on-a-goals-roll Sheikh rattles Dynamos

Sheikh hit four first-half goals with captain Connor Flanagan adding another to see Kirkstall go in at half-time with a 5-0 lead.

With no substitutes, Kirkstall had to weather an Alamo like second-half assault with goalkeeper Kamen Greaves outstanding and ably assisted by his back four of Ellis Redfearn, Ethan Mamoudi, Frankie Gibson and Jamie Blackburn.

At the other end, Rinor Ejupi hit the crossbar, with Aaron Chapman narrowly missing on three occasions. With a fantastic performance from Hakkinen Annani, Kirkstall emerged victorious to seal a cup final place at Garforth Town on the April 24.

Sheikh took the man of the match plaudits plus the match ball.

In Division C of the Harrogate & District Junior League, Kirkstall Crusaders Under-14s maintained their unbeaten league record with a 6-0 thrashing of third-placed visitors Helperby United Under-14s.

Aiden Croft bagged a hat-trick for Kirkstall but full back and goalkeeper Jay Clifford also played a major part in his sides victory with a faultless performance.

Player of the match Glenn Mazyondo and Lewis Binder also netted for Kirkstall for whom notable performances also came from Adam Javed, Kieran Croft and Owen Thomson.

Horsforth St Margaret’s Colts Under-14s are also chasing a title in Division One of the Garforth League with Sunday’s 5-1 success at home to fourth-placed Glen Juniors Under-14s making it eight league wins from 10 games

Matty Web opened the scoring with a calm header halfway through the first half in which the Glen goal had been constantly under pressure.

The Glen ’keeper was in outstanding form until Charlie Webb notched Horsforth’s second.

The Webb brothers kept up the scoring after the interval with Charlie hitting his second to make it 3-0 before Ollie Mangan notched the fourth.

Jack Twyford then smashed home to bring up the nap hand before Glen bagged a late consolation.

l Benton Park High School’s Under-17s have become the first Leeds secondary school to reach an English Schools Cup final since 1989.

The year 11 and year 12 team will now face Essex team Harris Academy Chafford Hundred in the final at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium on Wednesday, April 27 with a 4pm kick-off.

The last Leeds team to reach the final was the now closed, St Michael’s College Under-19s while the last school that is still open in Leeds to reach a final was Cardinal Heenan in 1980.

Benton Park beat the prestigious sports school Millfield in the semi-final with Benton Park linked to the Guiseley AFC Academy and Centre of Excellence.

Harris Academy Chafford Hundred – Benton Park’s opponents in the final -–have a football academy tht runs as West Ham United’s Development team.

David Currie, head of youth development, said: “The boys have done really well to get this far and we know that we won’t face any easy team in a national final.

“But we will treat it like any other game and tell the boys to get out their express themselves, make it exciting for the people watching and enjoy the occasion; if they do those things then they won’t go far wrong.

“Whilst the day to day coaching of the players has been carried out by Guiseley AFC coaches we have been assisted by Andy Feeney, Benton Park’s Head of Sixth Form, who has done all the fixture arrangements, sorting kit, getting lads out of class et cetera and has played his part in giving plenty encouragement from the sideline.”