United’s reserves headed to Town End Field to take on Craven Premier Division hotshots Grassington United in the first round of the Northern Plant Trophy.

The return of defender Ruairi Coyle from injury was a timely boost for Settle ahead of a tough matchup against the premier division’s champions elect.

With nothing to fear, the reserves relished the challenge and approached the match with a clear game plan.

As expected, Grassington started quickly and dominated the ball. Settle’s back line was disciplined and restricted the home side to to long range efforts in the opening 25 minutes.

Eventually United’s rearguard was breached as the hosts pressure was finally rewarded with the games opening goal.

With the premier division side deservedly ahead, the resolute reserves were undeterred and stuck to their task to frustrate and counter attack.

As the tie headed towards the interval United, who had been limited to minimal possession, had the opportunity to load the box from a deep free kick.

Oliver Kilburn delivered the free kick, to which there was only ever going to be one winner to the ball, as striker Liam Swanson dominated in the air to head beyond the stranded keeper and level the score!

As the second half got underway Grassington set about controlling possession as they had done for much of the first half.

With the second half barely minutes old the tie took an unexpected twist. Some excellent pressing, from young winger Niall Wakefield, forced a back pass which bobbled over the foot of the Grassington goalkeeper to roll into the empty goal!

Remarkably, without touching the ball since the restart, the underdogs were ahead!

Any sense of jubilation was quickly erased as the hosts responded almost immediately! United’s resolve broken through a thunderous volley which flew beyond the stranded John Hughes to nestle into the bottom corner.

Settle dusted themselves down and set about their game plan, showing discipline and organisation to frustrate Grassington and limit them to few opportunities.

Despite having limited possession, United were well in the game and desperate to take their opportunity to win the tie.

The opportunity arrived in the form of another deep free kick. Kilburn with another quality delivery for the powerful Swanson to head home his second and United’s third of the game.

Grassington reacted, launching attack after attack but Settle’s warriors stood firm to seal victory and progress into the next round.

Speaking after the game, manager Craig Porter said “I’m unbelievably proud of the boys today, they gave everything they had and it paid off.

“Grassington are one of the best teams around here and to get the result we did is amazing.

“A lot of people would have expected us to come here today and get rolled over but this group of players aren’t like that.

“We haven’t played a lot of football this season but we’re hoping to get back playing every Saturday and this result shows what we are capable of”.

United Reserves: Hughes; Dunn, Corns, Coyle (Wood, 55’), Ambrose; D Cardus (C), Kilburn; Quintas (Barton, 60’), Wakefield (Halliday, 75’), Holmes; Swanson

Goals:
Liam Swanson (35’, 70’) (Barber on the Yard)

MOTM:
Liam Swanson (Barber on the Yard)