IT was a family affair as jubilant Netherton lifted the Barlow Cup for the second time in three years.

Cousins Dean and Rhys Wharam got the second-half goals that earned them a 3-2 Galpharm victory over Hepworth United.

It was a deserved victory for Division II side Netherton, as they came from 2-0 down to win with some slick, passing football.

It wasn’t a classic but both sides showed plenty of endeavour and some flair on a cold night.

Hepworth will be left to reflect on the sloppiness that saw them lose the lead and on a penalty miss by busy striker James Earnshaw, who saw his shot well saved by Elliott Wilkinson in the 70th minute.

By then, Netherton had fought their way back into the game with two strikes by Dean Wharam in the space of five minutes.

His first, in the 57th minute followed good work by Danny Rodgers while the second was down to excellent play by his cousin on the left.

Rhys Wharam then crowned a great night with a stylish finish from six yards 10 minutes from time.

Hepworth had taken a 1-0 31st-minute lead against the run of play, but it was an excellent 25-yard strike by Matthew Earnshaw.

He saw Wilkinson slightly off his line and curled the ball into the net just beneath the bar.

Up to then, Netherton had looked more impressive than their Division 1 opponents but there were few clear-cut chances.

The best fell to Joe Nelson, after Hepworth keeper Anthony Berry had failed to hold a fierce shot from Rhys Wharam, but the goalkeeper redeemed himself with two smart reaction saves.

The rest of the first half was a little scrappy but Hepworth opened the second in determined fashion and made it 2-0 just four minutes after the break, when full back Benji Taylor fired a low shot across Wilkinson and into the far corner.

The full back had covered 50 yards with his run to meet a good cross-field ball.

The goal seemed to spark Netherton into life and they began to dominate midfield, where Matt Kilner was in impressive form.

Their football was more controlled than that produced by Hepworth and in the two Wharams, they had the pace to trouble the Hepworth defence.

One of the game’s key moments came after Dean Wharam had levelled the scores.

Hepworth substitute Daniel Kelly cut across the corner of the penalty area and seemed to go down easily under a challenge.

It was a 50-50 call but referee Ian Daffern, who had a good game, pointed to the spot after consulting his assistant Paul Wilkinson.

Earnshaw’s spot-kick was well-placed but Wilkinson made a great save low to his right.

That was Hepworth’s final flourish, save from two corners forced in the dying minutes of injury time.

It was a win which sees Netherton stay on course for a cup and promotion double, as they chase the Division II title with Berry Brow.

Hepworth Utd – Berry, Ward, Taylor, Selkirk, Kilner (W) (Donlan 67), Brook, Earnshaw (M), Clayton, Basnett, Earnshaw (J), Vince (Kelly 65). Subs not used: Horsfall, Kinder, Wood.

Netherton – Wilkinson, Hamer, Buckley, Jenkins, Harling, Wharam (R), Smith, Kilner, Rodgers (Peat 84), Nelson (Chappell 90), Wharam (D) (Dimbeylow 86). Subs not used: Devlin, Gledhill, Wharam (L).

Referee – Ian Daffern.