Norristhorpe Under 11s and Under 15s had differing fortunes in their RCD League Cup finals.
While the Under 15s won 1-0 after extra-time against Ovenden West Riding – completing a league and cup double – the Under 11s went down 7-0 to White Rose All Stars.
In an unusually one-sided match, White Rose put on an attacking masterclass rewarded with those seven goals.
The first came in the early stages when Rahul Ho’Shing found himself one-on-one with the keeper and finished to his right.
Second Division Norristhorpe worked hard to try to stay in the game, but Division One title-chasing White Rose were in top form and further strikes from Sam Wilkinson, Tyler Agus, Matthew Clarke – together with another three for Ho’Shing – sealed what in the end appeared to be a comfortable victory.
But the score does not reflect a spirited Norristhorpe effort.
Meanwhile, Norristhorpe’s hopes of adding the Cup to their Under 15 League title were severely tested by a strong Ovenden side who forced the game into extra-time before a Joe Taylor strike secured the double for the Mirfield-based side.
Ovenden were pressed into some serious defending in the opening encounters but Norristhorpe were unable to find a way through and, having withstood the early onslaught, Ovenden began to turn the tables and they were unlucky not to open the scoring on a couple of occasions.
But, with neither side finding the net, referee Bill Westwood signalled the end of normal time.
Tired legs forced the game to become stretched and Norristhorpe had a couple of golden opportunities to take the lead, but they failed to take advantage.
With time running out and penalties on the horizon, Ovenden’s challenge was crushed when Taylor pounced from close range to seal victory for Norristhorpe.
Northowram scored a 1-0 victory over 3D Dynamos in the Under 17 showpiece.
A last-minute James Morris strike was enough to secure the silverware.
3D Dynamos were equal to their title-chasing opponents in every department but, with neither side able to break the deadlock, extra-time seemed a certainty before Morris’s strike broke the Dynamos hearts.
With virtually no time to recover, referee Josh Martin blew for the end of the game and the start of Northowram celebrations.
Shelley won the Under 12 final 4-1 against Ossett Albion.
Ossett Albion are one of only three teams to have taken points from Shelley this season and, for much of the game they looked perfectly capable of competing again, but their hopes were ended when Sam Hirst scored twice in quick succession to leave Albion chasing the game.
Finlay Moody grabbed a consolation for Ossett but further strikes from Tommy Roberts and Harry Sampson sealed victory for Shelley to add to their League title.
Next Sunday’s Under 18 Cup final pitches the League’s top two teams against each other, when Littletown take on Uppermill in a 2pm kick off at Shelley FC’s Storthes Hall Park ground.
Littletown are hoping to add the Cup to their League title, but second-placed Uppermill are one of only two teams to defeat the Spen Valley side this season and a thrilling final is expected.
