Crowther saves the day for Kirkburton

STORTHES HALL made it a Huddersfield hat trick when they became the third local team to book a place in the quarter-finals of the West Riding County FA Challenge Cup.

Fellow West Riding County Amateur League Premier Division sides Bay Athletic and Golcar United had already sealed their passage, while Hall, (whose home tie against Beeston St Anthony's was postponed the previous week), were forced to switch Saturday's tie to Beeston - but won through 5-4.

Hall made a confident start and took a 19th-minute lead through Michael Tunnacliffe, who drove in a direct free-kick from 20 yards.

But within three minutes they were 2-1 down following a quick-fire brace from Liam Young.

Jason Battye pounced on a loose ball to equalise for Hall on the half hour after a good ball from Matt Mulvihill caused confusion in the home defence.

But within a minute, Hall conceded again when Beeston's Richard Longfellow crossed from the left and the ball evaded everyone to fall in the back of the net for a 3-2 lead.

Hall began to get on top after the restart, Peter Jowett making it 3-3 after goalkeeper Brendan Wood had fumbled a Steve Slack free-kick.

And two minutes later they were in front when Battye beat the keeper to a long ball and buried it in an empty net.

Chris Drew added Hall's stunning fifth goal when he controlled Jowett's cross on his chest, swivelled and volleyed deep into bottom corner for a goal worthy of clinching any cup tie.

John Ward pulled a goal back for the hosts with a free kick but Hall held out for the final two minutes.

West Riding Division I outfit Kirkburton, who have reportedly clinched former Emley old boy Dean Calcutt as player-manager next season, were grateful to stand-in keeper Nigel Crowther after beating Kiveton Park 4-2 on penalties (4-4 after extra time) in the Sheffield Junior Cup, after the late dismissal of No1 keeper Dave Walsh.

Former Bradford Park Avenue, Accrington Stanley and Ossett Town utility player Calcutt is currently at Stocksbridge, but Burton believe they have found their man as they prepare to make a determined push for the Premier Division next season.

After a bland first half both sides found their scoring touch with Kiveton first to strike on 60 minutes.

Ryan Jagger soon equalised for Burton before coach Craig Rennie replaced Chris Parker for current boss Tim Capewell - and it had an immediate effect with Capewell firing his side ahead after the keeper spilled a shot from Lee Bradley.

Kiveton made it 2-2 following a great 25-yard strike but Burton thought they had snatched an 85th minute winner when Kiveton's keeper smashed the ball against his own defender, and it then hit a post and went in to give Burton a 3-2 lead.

But back came Kiveton to equalise straight from the restart to take the tie into extra-time.

In the last minute of the first period of extra-time Kiveton got a fourth goal, with a simple header from the 6ft 4in striker which Walsh palmed into the net.

But Walsh then decided to protest against the decision saying the ball had not crossed the line and the referee was having none of it and sent Walsh off.

Crowther (below) took over between the posts and 10-man Burton snatched an equaliser after sterling work by substitute Craig Bentley, who beat three men before laying a perfectly-weighted pass for Ronnie Wood to beat the keeper.

Stand-in keeper Crowther then performed heroics in the penalty shoot-out.

He not only saved two spot kicks but stepped up to take the final kick and scored to send Burton through to the quarter-finals of the Sheffield Cup.

* There was disappointment for Golcar-based West Riding FA Sunday Cup holders Walkers Arms when they were stung by a last minute goal to lose their fifth round tie 4-3 at Rawdon FC.

On target for the Walkers was Adam Johnson, Wayne Dyson and Andrew Allison, who was also sent-off late in the match.