SOCCER success could be coming Keighley's way at long last as local clubs line up in the West Riding County Cup this weekend.

Three clubs take part in third round ties and for the first time in many years the trophy has every chance of making it back to Keighley.

Phoenix, Cross Hills and Silsden all have an excellent chance of making it through to the last 16 stage of the competition that has only been won once by a local team.

It is 31 years since Keighley Central defeated Heckmondwike team Brook Sports at Thackley in the 1967-68 cup final replay. Goals from John Fay and the late Danny McGowan set up a 2-1 victory on that occasion.

Since then only Silsden and Trevor Hockey's Keighley Town '79 have come close to emulating Central's feat.

Silsden made the County Cup semi-final in the 1973-74 season, when they went down to the eventual winners Brackenhall United, from Huddersfield, while Town were put out at the same stage by all-conquering Doncaster side Armthorpe Welfare during the 1982-83 season.

Phoenix are currently on a goal spree. West Riding County Amateur League sides have a fine record in the County Cup and no other side in that competition can currently claim the goalscoring form of the emerging Keighley side. With the competition favourites, Boroughbridge, making a surprise exit in the first round this year, the main obstacles to local success should come from fellow County Amateur sides such as Storthes Hall, Ovenden and Brighouse Town, as well as Manchester League champions Springhead, who are, strangely, affiliated to the West Riding FA.

Following their 12 goal mauling of Halifax premier league side Mixenden United in the second round, Phoenix's third round opponents at Marley are struggling Pudsey FC from the West Yorkshire League. They should pose few problems for the local side, although Keighley Town were once surprisingly dumped out of the County Cup in the mid-80's by Pudsey's neighbours, Pudsey Liberals, who were then known as Huddersfield Arms FC.

East Lancashire League champions Cross Hills are another in form team. they have a side well equipped to go far in this year's County Cup, although they face a potentially tricky tie at Hebden Royd Red Star. The Mytholmroyd side have a fine record over the past few years in the Halifax League's premier division and will be hoping to spring a surprise result.

Craven League leaders Silsden may be long shots for the County Cup, but their young side put seven past West Yorkshire division one side Selby RSSC in round one and then put 10 past County Amateur division one side Greetland in round two. Those performances show they are well equipped to deal with life in the later rounds of this year's competition. they have a tie at another Halifax League side, Warley Town.

The West Riding County Trophy, introduced last season for 'lesser lights' and the reserve teams of County Cup sides also have every chance of finding its way back to Keighley this year.

Phoenix Reserves, one of the strongest teams left in t he competition, play their third round tie at Hebden Royd Reserves, who they should have few problems with. Craven Leaguers Sutton and Haworth both travel to face West Yorkshire second division opposition, Howden Clough and Ossett Common Rovers respectively.

With several of our local sides performing particularly well in league and cup competitions this year, let's hope that one of them is able to re-write the record books this year.

n Rob Grillo is author of local soccer history "Chasing Glory." His second volume "Glory Denied" is due out in the New Year.

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