West Riding County Cup semi-final: Bradford Park Avenue 1 Farsley Celtic 3

BRADFORD Park Avenue, who had no substitutes, have lost their grip on the West Riding County Cup following defeat at home in their derby semi-final against Farsley Celtic.

The Celts had 11 players in their match-day squad that had played for Avenue, while the home side only had 11 players due to ineligibility and injury.

It was a relatively strong Avenue side but they had third-choice keeper Ashley Onitiri in goal, and he was beaten twice inside 12 minutes.

Farsley’s former Avenue striker Lamin Colley took a through ball and bustled past two defenders before slotting in, and Onitiri was picking the ball out of his net again soon after when Ryan Watson lashed in a shot from the edge of the area.

There was no blame on the keeper for the early setbacks, however, and he made some good saves as the visitors continued to cause problems.

In the second half, Onitiri was rescued by experienced Matt Hill, the former Wolves defender clearing a Watson free-kick off the line.

Avenue got back into the tie soon after when Liam Dickinson, making a rare start, netted a diving header, although there was a suspicion that Farsley’s former Avenue man Chris Haworth had got the final touch.

There was to be no comeback though as the visitors netted a late third.

Substitute James Walshaw – another who enjoyed a spell with Avenue – took a through ball from former Avenue midfielder Ross Daly and fired home.

Avenue had held the cup for the past two seasons but it will be Farsley who will play Evo-Stik Division One North counterparts Tadcaster Albion in the final at Valley Parade on Tuesday, April 11.

Eccleshill United are back in action in Division One of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League tonight at Hall Road Rangers.

The Eagles climbed one place to tenth at the weekend as they extended their unbeaten run to three games with a home draw.

However, that run will be under scrutiny as they head to fourth-placed Hall Road Rangers, who are only five points off the automatic promotion places with three games in hand.