PHOENIX retained the Keighley Cup with a hard fought victory over Silsden on Friday.

Silsden were keen to avenge last year's 5-0 mauling and showed how much they have progressed in ayear. they started brightly and put Phoenix under early pressure.

However, the first real chnce of the game fell to Danny Spencer who balsted over the bar. With Silsden keeping a close eye on strikers Mick Gilmartin and Dale Hoyle Phoenix had to look to others and Spencer swivelled in the area to poke the ball past Sean McNulty in the Silsden goal to take a first half lead.

The Cobbydale side piled on the pressure after the break and Phoenix surived a couple of penalty appeals before paul Linyard pulled off a flying late save to retain the cup. Ben Furness capped a fine performance with the man of the match award.

On Monday they beat Marsden 4-2 to take the West Riding County Amateur League campaign to the last day. Phoenix are now one point ahead of Hemsworth MW with a three-goal advantage on goal difference. Hemsworth have to beat Campion tonight to snatch the title from the Keighley side's grasp.

Martin Ross headed home in the fifth minute and increased the lead just before half time

Marsdne pulled on back before Ben McCormack slotted homea penalty after Ross was pulled down in the box. McCormack added a second to make it 4-1 and Marsden collected a late consolation effort.

Silsden and Keighley Shamrocks ahve also had a superb season and gained promotion to the First Division.

Phoenix Reserves suffered end of season blues when they went down 9-4 to Baildon. They rounded off their season with a 3-2 victory over Westbrook Wanderers on Wednesday.

Steeton went down 2-1 to Kinsley Boys last weekend while Steeton drew 4-4 with Heckmondwike Town and Shamrocks beat Salt Old Boys 1-0.

Hemsworth MW lost1-0 to Ovenden in the Premier Division Cup final on Wednesday night and will have that defeat hanging over them as they face the nail-biting match against Campion tonight (Friday).

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