Otley Town 0

Silsden 3

Otley Town having started this season's campaign with a draw at Hemsworth and a win at home to Storthes Hall, were unfortunately considerably under strength for this big game.

With so many players missing through injury and one suspension, it was good to see the return of Paul North, who effectively missed most of last season with injury and who had a great and very busy game at right-back as did the rest of the back four.

The back four had star striker James Firth playing at centre-half. County Cup holders Silsden are a good and very mobile side who move the ball early and the back four got little protection from the strangely formulated midfield which had Lee Grice, who has been unable to train because of injury at right midfield and Ben Hawley, very much a right sided player, on the left.

Up front Town found the very similar styles of Graham Hutchinson and Dean Wagstaffe not combining well. They seemed to generally want to run the same channels.

Not surprising then that Otley struggled for much of the opening encounters and yet they defended well with their 'keeper performing well when required. It came of a bit of a surprise when Otley broke away down the left and Hutchinson brought the best out of the Silsden 'keeper.

This miss was obviously very important in the shape of the game, especially when approaching half-time a routine cross from the right was totally missed by the defender, which left Silsden's centre-forward with a simple task of opening the scoring.

There was a bit of a crowd for this game, good to see, and they were hoping for some changes at half-time to Otley's personnel and the formation but to no avail. As Otley began to tire, Silsden exerted more control and particularly their No 11 who was unmarked in midfield, except for when Ben Hawley came effectively in from the left, but this left a huge gap on that flank for Silsden to exploit.

A few changes, perhaps not the right ones, were made late on but by that time the game was lost 3-0.

Otley Town 3

Lower Hopton 3

The first team entertained Lower Hopton, still suffering from injury problems and a lads trip to watch Yorkshire drub Somerset but Martin Able and Sullivan made a welcome return.

Otley started brightly and soon found themselves in front. This trend continued and further goals were added with some aplomb before half-time, so that Otley turned out for the second-half 3-0 up and in a seemingly unassailable position. However, on this glorious day, Hopton came out buzzing, particularly in mid-field and launched wave after wave of attacks - but to no avail. Mid-way through this half they did score but still had a hard task in front of them to save the game.

They were up to that task and Otley wilted rather under the pressure and in the end were happy with the 3-3 result.

l On Saturday the first team visit Wibsey.

Town Reserves 5

Pannal 5

The Reserves were at home to Pannal, who were a unusually physical side. Otley scored first perhaps fortunately but this seemed to allow them to settle and then play some crisp football.

The against the run of play they conceded an awful goal - the cross should have been cut out and the powder puff shot should have been saved but it wasn't and this gave life back to Pannal.

This became very much a see-saw game, with the referee losing control it nearly became farcical. Young Alderton Otley's very promising young centre-forward, who had never been booked before, was booked for something and nothing as yellow cards fluttered in the breeze.

Then with ten minutes remaining he tried to collect a pass with his back to goal, only to be scythed down from behind. The referee did not book the offending defender nor did he actually give a free-kick (bearing in mind the edict on tackling from behind), not surprisingly Alderton complained to the referee and was sent off whilst still lying on the ground.

The result of 5-5 was entertaining but also disappointing.

l On Saturday the Reserves are also away and the very young third team play their first home league game.