Silsden Ladies 3 Morley Spurs 3 (aet)
(Silsden won 4-3 on penalties)

Silsden Ladies FC made it a hat-trick of victories in the West Riding Open Age Football Shield.

Their opponents in the final were Morley Spurs, who were slight underdogs as they play in a division below Silsden.

However, the Spurs went close on a couple of occasions with Silsden keeper Nic Frankland having to be alert.

The deadlock was broken by Silsden on the half hour mark. Charlotte Dodd crossed to find an unmarked Anna Spragg, playing her last game for the club. She had time to control and fire the Cobbydalers into a half-time lead with her 28th goal of the season.

The second-half saw Morley throw on all their substitutes in an attempt to claw back an equaliser, which they did after Frankland was pole-axed and left dazed by an accidental collision with her own defender, the resulting clearance only finding a Morley attacker who gleefully ran on to equalise.

Five minutes later Silsden were behind when Morley's speedy No 10 beat the keeper to the ball and stabbed home from close range.

With minutes remaining and staring defeat in the face, Silsden pushed forward. This time top scorer Melissa Houldsworth beat the Spurs keeper to the ball to equalise with her 36th goal of the campaign.

The referee then blew for full-time, meaning 30 minutes of extra-time.

The extra-time took its toll on both sets of players, and with two minutes of the first-half remaining, Morley got through on goal, when 16 year-old Sam Adey, having had a great game, was adjudged to have committed a foul.

The resulting spot kick was partially saved by Frankland but the power of the shot made it count.

The second-half was all gung ho by Silsden as they pushed for the equaliser. There looked to be no danger when left-back Alex MacDonald, also playing her last game for Silsden, crossed a hopeful ball in from the left wing.

However, the Spurs keeper made a complete hash of her catch and spilled the ball into the net with just minutes remaining.

The game was then dominated by Silsden who tried in vain to score the elusive winner.

So the game had to be decided by penalties, which Silsden manager Shaun Roberts said: "Although it was great to watch for the neutrals, it was a horrible way for either of these teams to lose, after the great game they had just taken part in."

Silsden won the toss and decided to take the first spot kick which captain Vicki Ellis dispatched with ease. Then up stepped the Spurs player, who tried to deceive the keeper by hitting it hard and down the middle but it was easily saved by Frankland Penalty number two was easily put away by Houldsworth. Spurs scored their next penalty. Then up stepped Sophie Jones, a recent acquisition to the team, who aimed high but hit the crossbar.

Morley then scored with their penalty to make the scores 2-2. Charlotte Dodd easily scored then Spurs scored their next penalty, which meant if Anna Spragg scored her penalty and the Morley player missed, the trophy was coming home with Silsden.

Spragg duly obliged, to make it 4-3, so the pressure was on the Morley penalty taker. Too much pressure it seemed, because she lifted the ball over the bar and ignited wild celebrations by the Silsden players and their families who had travelled to Ossett Town FC for this final.

Any girls, minimum age 16, who may be interested in joining the team can contact Robert on 07921077839 or e-mail shaun@houseofroberts.co.uk.