Golcar and Bay surge through to semi-finals

GOLCAR UNITED and Bay Athletic are through to the West Riding County Amateur League Premier Division Cup semi-finals after solid wins at the weekend.

Andrew Allison scored a brace in United's 2-0 home win against old adversaries Wibsey, while Bay beat Ovenden 3-0 at Syngenta with Paul Pike, Kitson Gayle and Freddie McGillivary on target.

It was a lively first half at Longfield Avenue, Golcar, with chances falling to both sides during the end-to-end football.

But the first opening fell to Wibsey's Damien Melvin on six minutes but he fired wide with only the United keeper Greg Wadsworth to beat.

Soon after, long-serving Golcar player Chris Fawcett went close following a move down the right.

Wibsey's Scott Marsden also went close as the Bradford-based side hit back on 15 minutes but Golcar's Paul Cartwright should have put the home side ahead when, following great work from Allison, he just failed to connect with a defence-splitting cross.

Wibsey began to gain the advantage but were unable to convert chances despite sustained periods of pressure.

But Golcar almost stole a late first-half lead on 44 minutes when Fawcett's shot from the edge of the penalty area went inches wide.

United began to take advantage in the second half when they coped better with a strengthening wind which made quality football difficult.

Wibsey reverted to long-ball tactics which played into Golcar's hands and proved ineffective against their strong defence and good confident handling from United keeper Wadsworth.

On 55 minutes United took the lead. A soft back pass from Wibsey defender Oliver Purdy was latched onto by Adam Johnson who passed for Allison to slide the ball home from close range.

On 80 minutes United were awarded a free-kick 20 yards out on the left.

Up stepped Allison who fired an unstoppable shot past the wall of defenders and Wibsey keeper Richard Thompson into the top corner to put the home side 2-0 up with a memorable strike.

Wibsey pressed forward in the last 10 minutes in an attempt to get back into this Cup-tie, but this only left gaps at the back and United should have extended their lead as further chances fell to the outstanding Allison and United's man-of-the-match Fawcett who deserved a goal for an excellent midfield display.

United's only scare came in the final moments when a shot from Wibsey's Darryl Leach hit a post.

It was a good, confident display from Golcar after a two-week lay-off and sets them up well for Saturday's West Riding Challenge Cup quarter-final tie at home against Wetherby-based West Yorkshire League outfit Bardsey FC (1.00).