KIRKBYMOORSIDE reserves reached the Scarborough & District FA Junior Cup semi-finals after a spot-kick success against Beckett League rivals Thornton-le-Dale.

They were joined in the last four by cup favourites Edgehill reserves, of Scarborough & District League division two, who twice came from behind to beat Beckett League second division side Kirkdale United in a 3-2 thriller.

It means all four semi-finalists are second string sides, Filey Town reserves and Newlands Park reserves having already made it through.

The Moorsiders were clinical in the shoot-out, with Shaun Cox, Lee Nesfield, Andrew Ferguson and Kieran Bowes all scoring.

Nick Wilkinson netted Dale’s first spot-kick but David Elliot hit a post and Paul Simpson saw his effort saved by Nichols, meaning there was no way back.

Kirkby had had a couple of early chances in the tie, but Thornton keeper David Sturgess made a good save and skipper Paul Simpson a timely block.

Dale then went ahead on nine minutes. Matt Wilkinson rolled a free-kick back to his brother, Nick, who smartly struck the ball into the bottom corner.

Kirkby’s Chris Nichols made a couple of outstanding saves to keep it at 1-0 at the break.

The Moorsiders got more into the game in the second half. Sturgess made another super save on 70 minutes but five minutes later he was beaten by a 20-yard Jack Dowson free-kick over the defensive wall.

Kirkby’s man of the match was Eddie Strickland, while Simpson won the Thornton award despite his penalty miss. Left-back Gary Parker also impressed.

Kirkdale made a good start against Edgehill reserves and, after keeper Daz O’Grady kept them level with a fine save, they took the lead on 21 minutes through Jonno Wheeldon’s low 20-yard shot.

But Edgehill gradually began to get on top and should have equalised when a close-range shot hit the bar.

O’Grady continued to shine in the second half and skipper Phil Ward was also outstanding in Kirkdale’s defence. However, following a break in play, United switched off and a long ball down the middle from Lee Dennis was lobbed over the advancing O’Grady by former Scarborough Athletic striker James Webb to level matters in the 55th minute.

Four minutes later, Kirkdale, for whom Sean Murray was man of the match, were back in front when Jamie Harper put Rob Galtrey through to slide the ball home.

But Edgehill again levelled on 67 minutes when Jason Prosser laid the ball to substitute Joe Logan to score.

The tie could have gone either way but swung in Edgehill’s favour 10 minutes from time when another substitute, the experienced Dave Bell, scored with a tame effort.