Addingham 2

Keighley 1

(after extra time)

ADDINGHAM moved a step closer to a unique cup double with a fine victory over the league's in-form side in the Northern Plant Hire Challenge Cup.

This cup is the Craven League's most prestigious trophy with more than 60 sides from all four divisions taking part.

Victories over Horton, Barrowford and league leaders Oxenhope put Addingham into this quarter final clash.

Having won the competition two years ago and knocked out the current cup holders, Keighley arrived in confident mood.

The glory of knockout competition seems to bring out the best in Addingham.

The memory of two cup final appearances in the last two seasons brings out the desire in the players - sometimes missing in league games.

Addingham decided to hit Keighley head on and opted for a three man attack. Gez Haughian came in from the reserves to join Parker and Wild up front.

Knox and Walker were deployed as wing backs with Ridley, Chapman and Dickinson as the three centre backs.

Playing in an unfamiliar formation the home side failed to get going early on and Keighley dominated the opening period. Fierce tackling left several Addingham players in a heap as they were hit from all sides by some shuddering challanges.

Chances began to fall to both sides as the game settled and Andy Dobson made a number of good saves as Keighley started to gain the upper hand.

The Addingham defensive trio were frequently out numbered as the visitors forged through from midfield, often totally unmarked.

When Addingham did break Keighley down they found the keeper in fine form as he denied Haughian and Parker with good saves - racing off his line to deny Addingham on more than one occasion.

Just as the half appeared to be ending in stalemate Keighley took the lead.

A harmless looking header from a corner took a cruel deflection and ended up in the Addingham net.

However, the Addingham heads did not drop and the home side pushed their visitors back.

Addingham reverted to a 4-4-2 formation in the second half. The Addingham players rose to the challenge. Mick Kernick replaced Simon Collins and Addingham started to dominate.

However, as in recent league games, it looked as if all their possession would come to nothing.

With four minutes remaining it needed something special to produce an equaliser - and produce it they did.

Philip Smith flicked the ball up and volleyed home from 25 yards to take the tie into extra time.

Addingham's superior fitness gave them the upper hand in the extra period. Jamie Barrow and Mick Kernick caused havoc down the flanks.

Disaster struck when Phil Smith was forced to leave the field and Addingham had to battle on without their most creative player.

It was still 1-1 at the end of the first period of extra time. As the tie flowed from end to end thoughts began to turn to a penalty shoot out.

This was avoided when Addingham grabbed the winner two minutes from the end.

David Knox was hauled down in the box and the referee had no option but to point to the spot.

With regular penalty taker Collins off the field the responsibility fell to player manager Mark Ridley.

His experience shone through as he calmly sent the keeper the wrong way.

Addingham held the lead for the first time but any thoughts that Keighley would give up were quickly blown away.

They threw men forward but could not find a way through.

Addingham broke away and Brian Wild had a glorious opportunity to make the game safe.

He skipped past the keeper and found himself with an empty net.

The kindest thing to say is his effort missed the target.

Addingham held on and the final whistle brought relief as the players celebrated their second semi-final place of the season Addingham have also reached the last four of the Premier league cup.

SATURDAY'S TEAM

Addingham return to league action tomorrow, Saturday , when they entertain Skipton Town.

Team from: Dobson, Ridley, Dickinson, Chapman, Walker, Collins, Parker, Smith, Riley, Knox, Kernick, Wild, Sunderland. (Players meet at the clubhouse at 1.15pm)

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.