HEYWOOD Irish Centre reached their third final of the season in the West Riding County FA Sunday Cup.

They defeated Leeds-based Beech Celtic 3-1 in the semi at Woodlesford to go through. They are already in the Rollinson and District FA Challenge Cup finals (both against Lindley WMC) and the Saturday teams are in two more (Richardson and Barlow).

At West Riding HQ, Irish Centre got off to a flying start, being awarded a free kick after only three minutes and Steve Perrin duly dispatching it into the net.

The tie stayed at 1-0 until soon after half time when Beech Celtic equalised, but shortly afterwards they were reduced to 10 men when an alleged elbow on Adam Bell earned one of their players his marching orders.

Irish made use of the extra man and a through ball by Perrin found Ashley Flynn who made it 2-1.

However, the same player then missed a penalty, but Lee Bradshaw sewed the game up at 3-1.

Irish keeper Kevin Ashe had to go off with 10 minutes to go due to a hamstring problem but Irish held out to gain a final place against Leeds-based HT Sports at the end of this month.

In the Inter-divisional games, Cricketers Arms – who up until recently looked strong challengers for the Division I title – once again came unstuck against Division II opponents.

This has happened to them three times in succession now, the latest team to beat them being joint-top Golcar Con 3-1, with strikers from Adam Johnson (2) and Andrew Allison getting the Golcar goals.

Aaron Kirk replied for Cricketers. This result means Lindley WMC and Golcar Con have both played 19 with 51 points in Division II and have both one game each to play against Heywood IC, so it is certainly going to the wire.

Bottom club in Division II, Kirkheaton Lib, got their second victory against Division I opponents having lost all their Division II games to date, deservedly beating Marsh Lib 4-2 thanks to Stewart Clarkson (2), James Casson and Josh Havis. Andy Morris notching twice for Marsh Lib.

After playing nine consecutive cup games, Heywood IC got back to league business with a resounding 11-1 win over lowly Division II side Rope Walk. Ashley Flynn netted four times, John Paul Flynn got a hat trick, Paul Krol scored twice and Steve Perrin and Tom Hall got one apiece.

Heywood IC second string completed a surprise against Division I opponents Honley Soc who were struggling with a number of injured players and not at full strength.

Even so Irish came out with a 5-2 result making it a double victory day for the club.