Yorkshire Amateur: Farsley Celtic a step closer to silverware goal

Farsley Celtic Juniors' best chance of silverware is the Yorkshire Old Boys Shield and they saw off Horsforth St Margaret's 3-0 to reach its semi-final.
Kallum Armstrong, of Alwoodley, is fouled by Leeds Medics Reserves' defender  Matt McCullough during the Terry Marflitt Trophy tie. PIC: Steve RidingKallum Armstrong, of Alwoodley, is fouled by Leeds Medics Reserves' defender  Matt McCullough during the Terry Marflitt Trophy tie. PIC: Steve Riding
Kallum Armstrong, of Alwoodley, is fouled by Leeds Medics Reserves' defender Matt McCullough during the Terry Marflitt Trophy tie. PIC: Steve Riding

The league champions have endured a difficult title defence, sitting in seventh a full 16 points behind leaders Leeds Medics, and have exited the Terry Marflitt Trophy.

But goals from Joe Firth, Louis Surtees and Paul Dockerty took Barry Thirk’s side past Championship Horsforth.

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Farsley keeper Jordan Wright made a crucial early save and this was a turning point, galvanising the hosts with the visitors unable to maintain early pressure.

Alwoodley's 
Rob Oxley heads wide. PIC: Steve RidingAlwoodley's 
Rob Oxley heads wide. PIC: Steve Riding
Alwoodley's Rob Oxley heads wide. PIC: Steve Riding

The competition – also open to Teesside and Humberside teams – saw two of its four quarter-finals played at the weekend with Division Two Colton Athletic and Drighlington waiting in the wings.

Grangefield became the second YAL side to book a semi-final spot with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Fishburn Park.

The visitors went down to ten men within moments, Luke Hunter dismissed, and this gave them a perfect excuse to dig in and frustrate Fishburn.

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Tom Needham came to their rescue several times in goal, allowing Nick Smith to give them a lead on the hour and Andy Doogan to head home a Matty Tomlinson cross within ten minutes.

Alwoodley's 
James Turner shoots wide. PIC: Steve RidingAlwoodley's 
James Turner shoots wide. PIC: Steve Riding
Alwoodley's James Turner shoots wide. PIC: Steve Riding

Fishburn are second in the North Riding League and this was a fine scalp for Grangefield, who dramatically sealed progress in the Marflitt on penalties the weekend before.

The real shock came as second-tier Leeds Medics Reserves knocked out Premier Division stalwarts Alwoodley, winning 1-0 at the Avenue.

This was a shock totally defying league form, Alwoodley well in touch at the top of their league and Medics languishing in tenth. The goal came in the 35th minute in bizarre fashion, Tom McBride walking the ball into the net after a horror mix-up between home defenders and their goalkeeper.

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Medics have historically struggled with player availability but never lacked in spirit or organisation, helping seal a victory that recalled the glory days of the Leeds District Cup.

Alwoodley's 
Rob Oxley heads wide. PIC: Steve RidingAlwoodley's 
Rob Oxley heads wide. PIC: Steve Riding
Alwoodley's Rob Oxley heads wide. PIC: Steve Riding

This was also in evidence in the Medics’ first-team’s 2-1 success over Athletico in the Premier Division.

Mohammed Qasim bagged an opener in the 43rd minute, but David Emms’ spot-kick levelled terms after the break and Tom Smith poached home with a close-range header.

Steve Ledger’s side remain nine wins from nine while Athletico are sixth in the league on 16 points. Elsewhere, Morley Town outplayed Stanley United for a superb 6-3 victory at Batley Sports Centre.

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Ryan Hartley hit a treble with Jovan Kioseff, Rob Gumbley and Mathew Agar also on target.

Alwoodley's 
James Turner shoots wide. PIC: Steve RidingAlwoodley's 
James Turner shoots wide. PIC: Steve Riding
Alwoodley's James Turner shoots wide. PIC: Steve Riding

A brace from Karl Jeffrey and Jordan Clarke’s goal was insufficient to avert defeat for Stanley, who have now won one of their last three games.

The top flight’s other fixture saw Beeston Juniors beaten 5-2 by Ealandians at Elland Cricket Club. Colin Schofield’s hat-trick was at the crux of the home side’s effort but the man of the match award went to Jordan Burnham with sub’ Ash Muncaster also on the scoresheet.

Beeston are tenth, while Ealandians have fully shaken off their rusty start to the season with an unbeaten run stretching to six.

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Four fixtures made it through the weather in the Championship, the league proving resilient against the elements with over half of the calendar surviving. Collingham Juniors bagged a stunning 6-4 away win at second-placed Gildersome Spurs.

Doubles from Steve Trueman and Jordan Riley buttressed the Collingham effort, added to decisively by Richard Metcalfe and Mike Peace.

Beeston St Anthony’s were another side to upset the form book, claiming a 3-2 triumph over table-toppers Calverley United.

Substitute Stephen Wardman notched the winner on the hour mark, settling a game played in poor conditions and marred by a serious injury to Calverley captain Ben Cook.

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Shire Academics overcame St Bede’s 3-2 in a contest with little to separate the teams and heavily influenced by high winds.

Jordan Talbot bagged a brace for Shire, with the prolific Tawheed Ahmed unable to turn the tide coming off the bench.

A clash between third-placed Mount St Mary’s and fourth-placed Leeds Independent ended goalless at Gledhow.