A District League side almost claimed some West Riding FA silverware but lost out to Settle United by a whisker.
Second Division Honley played their Challenge Trophy final at the county ground at Woodlesford and eventually lost after extra time and penalties.
Their opponents are unbeaten all season in the Craven League.
And in their five previous matches in this competition, they had scored 26 goals and conceded only two.
Settle settled the better and led after just five minutes when a flicked header beat the offside trap and their striker slotted home past Honley’s keeper Ben Scotcher.
But Honley struck back within a few minutes when the ball was laid back for Michael Sanderson, who placed his shot wide of the keeper from 20 yards.
Honley were now showing up well with man of match Oliver Willetts bossing the midfield and the strong running Dylan Brett was a constant threat to the Settle defence.
This pair combined and when Brett was brought down in the box. It looked a stone-wall penalty but Honley’s appeals were turned down.
Honley took control in the second period and took the lead when Taylor ran on to a Willetts defence-splitting pass and chipped the keeper.
Chances came at both ends but it looked as though Honley had done enough as the game entered the five minutes of added time.
However in the dying seconds, Honley keeper Scothcher could only parry a long-range shot and the Settle striker was first to the loose ball to equalise from close range.
In extra time, both sides had chances and Honley’s Kyle Silkstone forced two good saves from the Settle keeper but there were no further goals and the final went to penalties.
Settle missed their first two but after five had been taken it was 3-3, so sudden death followed – and Honley lost 5-4.
Honley can be proud of their performance and both teams were congratulated by the county officials, who stated that this had been the most exciting final at Woodlesford so far this season.
In the league, the battle at the top is still wide open. Newsome won on both Saturday and Thursday while Berry Brow had a narrow 3-2 win over Diggle. Both these are level on 46 points but they have to play each other. Holmbridge, who haven’t played this week, are just a point adrift.
In Division II, the only matter that has still to be sorted is who is going to finish second to Holmfirth Town. Shelley have played up and have 46 points.
The only side able to catch them are Heyside. Last Saturday, their opponents Linthwaite failed to raise a team but by coincidence, had done the same thing against Shelley.
Heyside will have to win both their remaining fixtures away at Cumberworth and HV Academicals. At present the respective goal differences are very close.
In Division III, KKS Spartans won their last match but their closest rivals Aimbry managed to top that.
They scored seven in both their games and now need to win both of their last matches to overhaul KKS.
Both these games are against Upperthong
Both the top two in Division IV won last Saturday and it is now down to the match at Brighouse today.
A point for Royal Oak and the title is theirs but a defeat and Colne Valley are the winners.
Three victories in seven days have seen Newsome Reserves catapult to the top of Reserve Division I.
Another win today at home to Shepley Reserves will ensure Newsome retain the trophy.
Some of the league’s silverware has been handed out this week as the finals of both the Gee Cup and the Richardson Cup have taken place.
On Tuesday, Skelmanthorpe Reserves won the Gee Cup with the only goal of the game against Cumberworth A.
While they were celebrating with a pint in the bar, they discovered that Holmbridge Reserves had lost at Diggle, which means Skelmanthorpe have also won the Reserve Division III title.
In the Richardson Cup final, the sides in fourth and fifth places in Reserve Division I met at Lepton.
The match was settled with the only two goals of the game coming in the space of two minutes.
Netherton took advantage of a couple of defensive lapses by Berry Brow to win the cup for the first time since 2006.
The Barlow Cup Final will take place at the John Smith’s Stadium on Tuesday (7.00), and will be between First Division Britannia Sports and Second Division Holmfirth Town.
Britannia won this trophy in 1999 and earned their place in the final by beating Slaithwaite, Kirkheaton and Scholes.
In their semi-final they trailed 1-0 to Scholes but proved too strong in the second half and ran out 3-1 winners.
Holmfirth Town have yet to meet Division I opposition because, to reach the final, they beat Cumberworth, Skelmanthorpe and Shelley.
Against Shelley, it was a close affair. Shelley had the chance to go ahead but missed from the penalty spot and the game was still 0-0 with 10 minutes to play, but two late goals – one from the spot – ended with Holmfirth as 2-0 winners.
Many times this season, teams from Division II have beaten Division I clubs.
So there’s no predicting what might happen.
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