Graham Mclachlan struck late to take holders Wellington A through a hard-fought semi-final against Linthwaite and into the West Riding County FA Sunday Trophy final.
It was the only time Wellington held the lead in the tie and secured a 3-2 victory against their KSL rivals at Woodlesford.
The teams had each scored one victory against the other in the League and no-one was pulling out of any tackles in a lively start to the semi-final.
There weren’t many clear-cut chances but Linthwaite had the advantage in a goalless first half.
Accordingly, they took the lead shortly after half time after enterprising play down the right from Josh Shields and Declan James-Thomas, before Bradley Riley was presented with a tap-in.
Wellington quickly got themselves back in the game through an Adam Hill, whose shot was deflected in, leaving Linthwaite keeper Paul Day with no chance.
Once again Linthwaite – who are sponsored by Ds recruiting services – took the lead through a Iwan Heeley penalty, after Courtney Allette was brought down by Wellington keeper Ashley Whitaker.
It looked as though that might be enough to take Linthwaite through, but Wellington went direct to try and increase pressure and they were rewarded when a scuffed shot from Anthony Haigh looped over Day for the equaliser.
Both teams pushed for the win to try and prevent extra time and it was Wellington who found a bit of luck.
From a corner the ball dropped into the six-yard box and, among many bodies, McLachlan managed to stick a foot on the ball and direct it over the line.
Linthwaite tried everything they could to find a reply, but they were held at bay in the closing minutes.
In the Huddersfield FA Sunday Challenge Cup quarter-finals, KSL outfit Walkers Hounds defeated Division One joint seventh-placed Heavy Woollen side Yorkshireman (Kirkheaton) 2-0 at Longfield Avenue.
Scorers for Hounds were Ben Burnett and Chris Cornelly.
Hounds will now meet the winners of Linthwaite v Queen, scheduled for April 5, in a semi-final tie on April 12.
Town Rangers (fourth in Division One of the Heavy Woollen League) beat Field Head 6-0 at Reinwood Rec.
On target for Rangers were Kieran Ryan with a hat trick, Danny Berry, James Hutchinson and Scott Thornton (pen).
Rangers led 4-0 at half time and kept Head keeper Andy McKinley busy.
Head had some breaks led by Dan Wright and Richard Taylor, but found it difficult to get past Rangers keeper Leon Stephenson.
Rangers will now face the winners of Wellington A v Dalton (scheduled for March 29) in a semi-final on April 12.
In Division One of the League, Dalton beat Queen 5-2 at Dryclough Rec to enable them to rise to joint second alongside Wellington A.
It marked a double for Dalton over their rivals, Andy Mellor opening the scoring with a close-range finish from a Ryan Gledhill corner after only seven minutes.
This spurred on the away team, but they couldn’t find a second and Danny Naidole pounced for an equaliser after 35 minutes.
Dalton re-claimed the lead in the 39th minute, with Courtney Allert finishing well from close range.
Naidole scored his second for Queen after 52 minutes, after Craig Cartwright saw a shot hit the bar and keeper but not go in, but Dalton took control of the game with an inspired substitution, further goals coming from Allert, for his hat trick, and Ryan Gledhill, who played really well.
Queen’s man of the match was Josh Lang.
Mooreside Colts beat basement side Wellington B at Reinwood Rec to rise from second bottom to joint sixth.
Welly, playing downhill, led 1-0 at half time through Liam Nolan.
Alex Dunn levelled for Colts in the second half and it was then end-to-end play.
Wellington defended stoutly (aided splendidly by keeper Kieran Ramsden) and still had good chances themselves, however Danny Conway (who was man of the match) struck twice for Colts for a 3-1 victory.
Liam Nolan was Welly’s star man, with Gareth Bradley showing up well for them in centre midfield.
