Ilkley Dynamo 1 Yeadon Veterans 3

CRAIG Nicholls scored twice as Yeadon Veterans came from behind to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Wharfedale & District Sunday Cup in an incident-packed match at Ilkley.

Dynamo started brightly and appeared to have the greater energy and purpose. Their fluent attacks troubled the visitors and top scorer Phil Thommesen was unlucky when his header hit an upright before rolling along the line to a thankful keeper.

Fine work by Danny Bryan, who was full of craft and stamina, resulted in his powerful shot being deflected into the net by Danny Henderson for his 13th goal of the season.

For long periods the game, watched by a large crowd, was deadlocked, neither side being prepared to take risks with the contest being so close.

Sam Jacomb was influential at centre half for Dynamo while keeper Shane Etherington fearlessly saved a goalbound effort to keep the home side just in front.

Early in the second half, Dynamo began to lose their momentum and sharpness as the game became more feisty. Three players from each team were cautioned before Nicholls equalised with a fine angled strike.

The evenly matched teams could not be separated. The stalemate continued because neither side could dominate the midfield area for any period of time.

With no breakthrough looking possible, extra time appeared to be a near certainty before a late ten-minute spell of drama changed the game.

Firstly, Nicholls broke away and added a second for the visitors in the 85th minute to put them 2-1 ahead.

Three minutes later, Dynamo were awarded a penalty and after a long delay, Oliver Buckby, the Yeadon keeper made an excellent save to deny Dynamo a crucial equaliser.

With the home team again pushing forward to salvage the leveller in the six minutes of added time, substitute Darren Auton made victory certain for Yeadon with their third goal.