Wetherby Athletic reach Barkston Ash Challenge Cup final

Wetherby Athletic beat Aberford Albion 3-0 on Saturday at the Ings to reach the final of the Barkston Ash Challenge Cup.
Charlie Yates was on the scoresheet twice for Wetherby Athletic (Photo: Peter Arnett)Charlie Yates was on the scoresheet twice for Wetherby Athletic (Photo: Peter Arnett)
Charlie Yates was on the scoresheet twice for Wetherby Athletic (Photo: Peter Arnett)

A brace from Charlie Yates and Josh Wilson’s header set up an Easter Monday face-off with Thorpe United at Selby Town’s Flaxley Road ground.

Manager Mark Forster was thrilled to progress, saying, “I’m delighted to be in the final, it’s a long time since a Wetherby team have had the chance to win some silverware.

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“It was a terrible game in periods and I’m glad no-one had to pay to watch it, but when all’s said and done we are in the final and I’m very happy about that.”

Former Harrogate Town youth teamer Charlie Yates opened the scoring in the 16th minute.

Maloney forced a shot on target and the keeper could only parry into the path of Yates, who calmly steered the ball over the grounded custodian and into the net.

The Tangerines begun to shift the ball wide with more intent and that led to them doubling their lead in the 54th minute,

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Substitute Creamer whipped a ball in from wide which Joshua Wilson attacked, out-jumping his marker to head home.

Joe Whiteley on the ball for Wetherby Athletic (Photo: Peter Arnett)Joe Whiteley on the ball for Wetherby Athletic (Photo: Peter Arnett)
Joe Whiteley on the ball for Wetherby Athletic (Photo: Peter Arnett)

The celebrations had barely died down when Athletic made it three to put the game to bed as a contest.

In the 57th minute, the Aberford goalkeeper once again failed to hold on to a shot, this time from Wilson, and left Yates with the easiest of task to finish for 3-0.

Yates nearly had a hat-trick when Wetherby captain Tom Hesketh teed him up and he unfurled a first-time fizzed effort that flew past the post with the keeper stranded.

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With 15 minutes to go and the matter of who would progress to the cup final all but decided, the quality of play begun to deterioriate along with the pitch that had cut up all afternoon.

Oli Rose had a solid game in defence (Photo: Peter Arnett)Oli Rose had a solid game in defence (Photo: Peter Arnett)
Oli Rose had a solid game in defence (Photo: Peter Arnett)

Second-half substitute Jonny Hadley only last 10 minutes and was hauled off after being caught on the ankle, before Caine went down holding his knee at the end of a scrappy encounter.

Mark Forster was left counting the cost of the win: “We couldn’t pass the ball at times and both teams didn’t really play as they can do.

“I think Aberford will be disappointed that they didn’t give a better account of themselves and I think the same can be said of us too.

“That said, we scored three great goals.”