Harrogate and District League: Kirk Deighton, Rawdon and Kirkby Malzeard reach cup semi-finals

Joe Turley was at the heart of the 3-0 victory with a goal either side of half-time before the in-form James Woodward capped Rangers’ progression late on.

Rangers could meet rivals and league leaders Rawdon Old Boys in the last four after the Leeds side overcame Hampsthwaite United 5-0.

Kirkby Malzeard are the shock contenders in the last-four draw after surprising second-placed Bedale Town 3-1. The final place in the draw will be taken by Beckwithshaw Saints or Wetherby A, whose quarter-final was postponed.

Rangers won the competition in the 2013/14 season but lost 2-1 against Clifford in the final 12 months ago.

With all hope of a league title all but distinguished by a poor start to the season, boss Dan Marshall admitted the competition was high on the club’s priorities.

He said: “It’s one of the definite targets now we have got to the semi-finals and we have the belief to go on and win it.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say there was a side which was a weaker to play. All we want is a home draw in that semi-final. Knowing our luck, we will probably draw Rawdon.”

Rawdon had five different goalscorers in seeing off Hampsthwaite as they scored four times in a rampant second half.

Aidan Barry, Paul Butler, Darren Nicholls, James Nightingale and Oliver Nightingale all found the net as the Leeds side made the semis for the third successive season.

Meanwhile, Pannal Sports continued their challenge for an immediate promotion back to the Premier division with a 3-0 win at lowly Ripon Red Arrows.

Bramham remain on Sports’ coattails after edging Beckwithshaw Saints Reserves 3-2, despite Eddie Milsted’s brace for the Saints.

Pateley Bridge recorded the stand out win of the weekend, dishing out a 9-0 win to mid-table rivals Dalton Athletic. Matt Brayshaw and Dan Brown both netted hat-tricks with other strikes from Ian Bush and Stephen Ellison.

Elsewhere, Thirsk Falcons Reserves coasted past Hampsthwaite FC 4-0.

Only two games were possible in the Alverton Trophy. Chris Simpson and Jon Fuller bagged braces in Helperby United’s 5-2 win over AFC Horsforth Reserves, while Westbrook YMCA Reserves edged past Bardsey 3-2.