Otley Town 1 ,Brighouse 2

On Saturday Otley Town entertained Brighouse who were joint top of the Premier Division. It was a classic game of two halves with Brighouse enjoying most of the first-half supremacy but Otley were far the better team for the second period.

Otley were coping with further additions to their extensive injury list as Mark Whitwood, Paul Driver and Lee Grice joined Terry Pearson and Graham Hutchinson on the sidelines. The Pool of players was further reduced as Chris Wain (broken arm) and Andy King were also unavailable as replacements from the Reserve squad.

However, coach Graham Morgan was more than satisfied with the team that took the field, even though substitute strength was in reality limited to Danny Royston, also carrying a back problem.

Otley got off to a great start as Dean Wagstaff, promoted from the reserves after some fine performances for the team and in training, scored after four minutes from a cross cum shot on the right.

However, before Otley had time to settle Brighouse showed why they are at the top-of-the-table, coming back very strongly to put pressure on the home defence. Following some fine movement in midfield and a good piece of individual play by former Guiseley youth team player Shaun Walsh the striker scored with a clinical finish to equalise on six minutes.

Brighouse moved into top gear and pressed Otley back. Their passing and movement was excellent and Walsh added to his tally on ten minutes following an flowing move through midfield. Brighouse continued to press and play a succession of quick passes in and around the Otley defenders.

Otley did create chances and Wagstaff nearly added a second when he was put through wide on the right but although he beat the visiting 'keeper the ball went agonisingly wide.

Brighouse continued to dominate but the Otley defence held firm throughout the difficult period and again Wagstaff caused problems on the break following excellent long kicks by goalkeeper Graham Bentley.

Half-time came with Otley getting the chance to catch their breath after a long spell of defence against a team with several useful players in attack and some physically strong defenders in defence. However, the Otley back four of Lee Coonan, Paul North, Andrew Redman and Anthony Gilmartin deserve special mention for their ability to stick to their task under the heaviest of pressure.

Half-time saw a tactical change with Wagstaff moved from a wide position in midfield to play up front centrally with Steve Boddy who had been manfully operating by himself.

The second-half belonged to Otley both in terms of possession and chances. To be fair Brighouse had to replace three of their better players through injury and this allowed Otley to show they could attack as well as defend. A whole succession of chances came Otley's way. Boddy had an excellent chance to equalise but shot weakly at the 'keeper from a great one-on- one position.

Wagstaff and Boddy were proving a real handful for the visitors' defence and the midfield four of Ian Wolfenden, Ben Hawley, Tom Chadwick and captain Joe Lunn gave them magnificent support. Chance after chance came Otley's way but the vital touch, so expertly provided by Walsh for the visitors in the first-half, was missing.

Boddy and Wagstaff both had further chances but the equaliser was not forthcoming as the visiting 'keeper managed to block a range of shots.

In the last minute it looked as though the breakthrough would come as Wagstaff broke away. However, once again the Brighouse 'keeper earned his team the result with a fine block with his foot.

Otley trudged off the field knowing that they had given a great performance in difficult circumstances against one of the top sides in the league. To have so many players unavailable is a real problem and the players of the first, second and third teams are to be commended on their spirit and determination to meet the challenges that have faced the club.

Their respective performances are well deserved and hard-earned. However, the injury crisis will not be going away quickly and could damage the long term success of the club this season if not resolved soon.

Northallerton Town 5, Otley Town Reserves 1

Town Reserves travelled to Northallerton with a depleted side due to the club's ever increasing injury list. The strong home team who never looked in trouble totally outplayed Town. Bobby Johnson was Otley's only goalscorer.

Otley Town A won 2-1 against Catterick Village and Otley Town B travelled to Addingham and won 3-1.

l On Saturday Otley Town's first team play at Addingham in the first round of the Wharfedale and District FA Challenge Cup.

Town Reserves will have a tough game at home to Beckwithshaw kick-off at 2.30pm. Otley Town A will entertain neighbours Pool AFC Reserves kicking-off at 2.30pm.