Injuries put paid to brave White Eagles' bid (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Injuries put paid to brave White Eagles' bid

7:32pm Monday 11th February 2013 in Sun Alliance By Trevor Adams

The weather may have taken a heavy toll on the Bradford Sunday Alliance League's programme yesterday but it didn't stop a tremendous match taking place in the West Riding County FA Sunday Cup.

White Eagles, from Division One, launched a tremendous fightback in the later stages of their quarter-final tie but the greater experience of Leeds visitors Chapeltown Fforde Grene proved decisive in extra-time.

Eagles made a nightmare start, conceding an own goal after just 28 seconds, but, after settling down, they equalised in the tenth minutes with a great run and left-foot strike from Tate Williams.

The visitors were fast and dangerous, particularly Dan Sheriffe and their best player Dempsey Smith, and they took control, helped by the hosts' mistakes, another own goal taking them into a 3-1 half-time lead.

White Eagles needed a goal at the start of the second period but the visitors found the net first, taking them into what seemed an unassailable lead.

Eagles were then awarded a penalty but the visitors' keeper saved the spot-kick and the rebound.

However, the Alliance side dug deep and scored twice, through captain Craig Smith and from their man of the match Leon Reid, following a corner.

With 15 minutes remaining, Eagles equalised after a fantastic strike from Louis Etienne and were thwarted in the last ten minutes of normal time, chiefly by keeper Andy Smith, who made a fantastic save in the dying seconds.

With the home team having four outfield players injured in the extra period, the visitors, superbly led by Smith, took command and scored four goals without reply.

In the Alliance's Senior League Cup, the top two in the Premier Division - Bolton Woods and leaders Buttershaw White Star - clashed at King George V Playing Fields in testing conditions.

Adam Barlow opened the visitors' account after only three minutes but White Star were unable to add to that before Andrew Tasker scored an own goal from a disputed free-kick. However, Steve Hollingsworth restored the lead before half-time.

The hosts continued to create chances though and pulled level again with a deflected shot that took the game into extra-time.

White Star finally put the game beyond a hard-working Woods when Hollingworth and Terry Ryan scored within three minutes of the first extra period to set up a semi-final with West Bowling.