Last-gasp agony in draw!

Jan 29 2008 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Last-gasp agony in draw!

DOMINIC HOWARTH struck a last-gasp equaliser to deny Linthwaite victory in their Under 12 Division II clash with Gomersal.

Linthwaite led with a strike by Harry Stead on 20 minutes and, with a howling gale blowing across the University of Huddersfield ground at Salendine Nook, it looked like that would be the only score.

But, despite spending most of the second half camped in the Linthwaite half, the score remained unchanged until, with the referee checking his watch, Cameron Bell floated a free-kick across the edge of the penalty area and Dominic Howarth struck an unstoppable shot into the top corner to give Gomersal a deserved equaliser.

Both sides are trying hard to avoid a late-season backlog of games.

With both Gomersal’s and Linthwaite’s grounds deemed unfit, Gomersal sportingly conceded home advantage and the tie was switched to the Uni Ground but, although the pitch was in good condition, neither side had taken into account the terrible wind and, therefore, any attempt to play decent football was wasted.

As a result, most of the game was played in one half with first Gomersal and then Linthwaite spending most of the game defending and doing a remarkably good job.

Meanwhile, the quarter finals of the various County Cups take place next week and the RCD League are well represented.

Under 12 pacesetters YMCA will be hoping to go all the way to the final but must first get past a tough home game against Menston in the County Shield.

In the same competition, Gomersal have put in a tremendous run to set up their quarter final meeting with Garforth Rangers.

Although Gomersal are mid-table in Division II of the RCD League, Garforth Rangers are struggling in the bottom half of the First Division of the Leeds League, so Gomersal will be hoping to progress.

The Under 14 age group may hold one of the RCD’s best opportunities of success when Howden Clough take on Yorkshire Amateurs and, if successful, they will meet the winners of the Lepton Highlanders v Heckmondwike clash, which will give the league a guaranteed finalist.

Dalton Dynamoes are the sole RCD survivors in the Under 16 County Cup and they will need to be at their best to overcome unbeaten Farsley Celtic of the Leeds League.

All County Cup games kick off at 1.00.