FROST came to haunt the fixture secretary, but at least eight out of the 14 District FA Challenge Cup second-round ties were completed.

None of the three District League teams who faced West Riding County Amateur League opposition managed a win.

But Third Division Mount suffered an honourable 1-0 defeat at the hands of Huddersfield YMCA.

There were a couple of minor surprises.

The first came at the home of Division II Scholes, who beat top flight Cumberworth 1-0.

The pitch was only just payable.

As a result, defences had the better of the exchanges but neither side could have realised that the penalty converted by Alan Walker after two minutes was going to be the goal that separated the teams after 90 minutes.

From then on, chances were almost non-existent!

So Scholes are through in the cup, and they have not given hope of promotion back to Division I.

They may be four points adrift of leaders Netherton, and have played two games more.

But they believe the situation is still in their own hands as they have to play second-placed Berry Brow twice and Netherton and Lamb Inn, who are third, once more.

The second surprise came when Skelmanthorpe lost 3-2 at home to Royal Dolphins.

Seven days prior, Skelmanthorpe beat Division II rivals Scissett to reach the semi-finals of Sheffield Junior Challenge Cup.

Meanwhile Division III promotion hopefuls Royal Dolphins were held to a 4-4 draw by mid-table Paddock.

But that counted for nothing as the underdogs ran out 3-2 winners with goals from Liam Madigan, Luke Haigh and Michael King.

In the District FA Challenge Trophy, five of the seven fixtures went ahead and the surprise was Shepley’s first-round win at Berry Brow, on penalties after a 4-4 draw.

When the side met in the league it ended level at 1-1, so despite there being seven points between them, it was no shock that this tie was close – in fact there was never more than a goal between them.

Shepley led at the break following a Mark Schofield goal but Brow scored twice to give them a 2-1 lead which they held until 10 minutes from time.

Shepley’s Scott Sykes scored to send the tie into extra time.

Sykes then scored again, but the lead was short-lived.

Shepley took the lead for the third time with a Tyas goal.

But that wasn’t enough to beat the Brow as they equalised again – from the penalty spot in the last minute.

Shepley eventually sealed victory via the shoot-out.

In Division III, a 4-0 win for Brook Motors over Dalton Crusaders put them firmly into the promotion picture.

Savile Town beat HV Academicals 3-1 in only their fifth league fixture – that’s just another 17 to play!

Another side to force their way into contention are Fourth Division Flockton.

Two goals each from Appleyard and Smith (C) earned them a 4-2 win over Linthwaite Athletic and they are now second, just a point above Heyside, who have a game in hand.

It looks like one of these two could gain promotion, but they have a lot on to catch runaway leaders Shelley, who recorded another high-scoring win, 9-1 over Sport Together.

Prolific Shelley now have a 10-point lead over nearest rivals Flockton, having scored 89 goals and conceded only 14.