Rawdon AFC 2

Shipley Town 0

RAWDON AFC completed the first leg of what they hope will be a glorious treble of cup success this season.

They lifted the Wharfedale FA Sunday Cup at Guiseley AFC's Nethermoor Park ground on Thursday gaining revenge for last season's final defeat by Town.

Rawdon are involved in two further cup finals the first of which is tonight, Thursday, at the West Riding County FA headquarters at Woodlesford (7.30 pm)

There they will take on fellow Wharfedale Triangle League side Park Rangers in what will be the first of two cup final meetings between the sides.

They will also meet in the Wharfedale Triangle League cup final at Guiseley AFC on Thursday, April 29, kicking-off at 7.30 pm.

Rawdon also top the Wharfedale Triangle League and are hoping to cement the championship.

They went a long way towards that with a resounding 11-2 win over Horsforth Rangers on Sunday.

There were hat-tricks for Richard Machell and Stuart Clark and other goals came from Kevin Gilks, Lee Parr, Andy Waterfield, Darren Auton and Paul Machell.

It was a change for Richard Machell to play outfield as he has been the long term cover for regular 'keeper Andrew Pickering who has been out with a broken thumb but has now returned to action.

The Wharfedale FA Sunday Cup win provided a great birthday celebration for Rawdon player-manager David Gilks who headed in their first goal in the 35th minute from a cross supplied by his brother Kevin.

Rawdon secured their victory when teenager Matt Larkins netted with just five minutes remaining.

The game had attracted the biggest ever Wharfedale FA Sunday Cup final attendance with around 300 watching.

In the winning Rawdon team were: Andrew Pickering, Paul Bull, Kevin Gilks, Gareth Reynolds, Lee Parr, Paul Machell, Lee Poole, Scott Young, David Gilks, Andy Carlton, Matt Larkins. Subs used - Stuart Clarke, Richard Machell. Subs not used - Tony Gilks, James Allen and Alexis McInnis.

In the Shipley Town team were: Gary McLafferty, Andy Ives, Mick Burdett, Paul Stephens, Richard Fletcher, Lee Halpin, Robert Bedford, Scott Marsden, Gavin Collins, Oliver Metcalfe, Mark McLafferty. Subs used Lee Newall, John Walsh. Subs not used - Dale French, David Hall, Danny Mathers.

The referee was Lee Creasey, assistant referees were Tony Brown and Ian Metcalf and the fourth official was Mick Slingsby.