Upperthong out – three times!

Jan 15 2008 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

IT was a big day for Upperthong as the Holme Valley side had no fewer than three sides drawn at home and vying for places in the third round of the Under 14 cup – but all three were eliminated.

First on at Sands were the A team, who took on Second Division promotion chasers Netherton and, with a score of 3-0 at half time, the home side could be forgiven for thinking they had one foot in the next round.

But Netherton had other ideas and second-half goals from Hallam, Dempsey and Beardsall undid all Upperthong’s work and the tie went into extra time. An Askham goal settled the issue for Netherton.

First Division Battyeford then played Upperthong’s Fourth Division B team.

Although the home side gave a good account of themselves, the visitors proved too strong and goals from Josh Rawcliffe (2), Sam Hewitt (2) and Jack Leonard sent Battyeford comfortably into round three.

With two teams already out, it was down to the C team to try to find a way through.

Third Division strugglers Wyke provided the opposition and the game could have gone either way but, despite goals from Jack Shaw, Ryan Silvester and Lewis Chard, it was Wyke who ran out 4-3 winners.

Also in the Under 14s, Kirkburton moved easily into the third round when Green (2), Clarke (2), Wilkinson (2) and McSherry goals gave them a 7-1 win over Brighouse.

Kirkburton now face a home tie against either Longcroft Lions or 3D Dynamoes.

In the Under 17s, goals from Joshua Rodgers, Rhys Wharam and an own goal were enough to put Netherton’s name in the hat as they pulled off a superb win over previously unbeaten YMCA.

Netherton’s next opponents will be either First Division Halifax Irish or Second Division title-chasing Hepworth United.