Kirkheaton Rovers are the new cup kings of Huddersfield.
The Division Two side belied their underdog status to wrench the Huddersfield District League’s Barlow Cup from the holders, Holmfirth Town.
And their second-half performance against their high-flying Division 1 opponents certainly merited the 2-0 victory – and the chants of “Yetton we love you” – as they lifted the cup for a fifth time.
Rovers dominated the half, with their young and skilful side dragging Town all over the huge John Smith’s Stadium pitch.
And in lively striker Ryan O’Hara they had a real matchwinner. He struck with two excellent goals to light up the final.
It certainly needed it after a first half that could only be described as dour.
Apart from one or two lively exchanges in the opening minutes there was little to warm up the 583-strong crowd. Richard Lally had a half chance for Town and a free-kick from Rovers’ Liam Dobson was the closest they came.
How things changed after the break. The second half was just two minutes old when a Dobson free kick into the box fell to O’Hara and he lashed the ball home from 10 yards.
Town stuck to their slow and deliberate build-up play which maintained possession but created little, while Rovers had creative outlets in O’Hara and Jacob Buchanan who was a constant threat.
Rovers made it 2-0 on 76 minutes when a jinking run by Buchanan ended with a lovely ball into the path of O’Hara and he placed it in the far corner from 20 yards.
Holmfirth did have the ball in the net on 88 minutes but it was disallowed for a push. And Buchanan almost crowned a memorable display with a fine solo effort, taking the ball 50 yards before bringing a good save from Jeremy Travers.
Holmfirth: Travers, Nyland, Modeste, Bell, Hazelden, Robshaw (Sewell), Hobson, Jagger, Langfield (Thompson), Lally, Walsh (Wharam). Subs not used: Harris, Edwards.
Kirkheaton: Atkinson, Harris, Hawkins, Buckley, Wallbanks, Lodge, Ghee (Longley), Dobson (L), Arnold (Dobson N), O’Hara, Buchanan. Subs not used: Walker, McAllister.
Referee: Stephen Crawshaw, assistants Peter Darby, Jonathan Martin, fourth official Chris Hinchliffe.
