Wetherby 0, Otley Town Reserves 3;
Otley Town Reserves went to Wetherby needing only one point from three games to win the Premier Division Championship and it was obvious that a case of the nerves took hold. It took some time for Dean Wagstaff to score the first goal.
Wetherby proved difficult opposition, in a first-half that could have gone either way, belying their lowly league position. Towards the end of the half Town were awarded a free-kick, 30 yards out which Wagstaff struck so well that the Wetherby 'keeper was left standing.
The second-half saw Wetherby come out and play their best football of the game, putting pressure on the Otley central defence that thwarted everything that their forwards could throw at them, with Stuart, Gilmartin and North coping admirably.
Town defended well with Currie sweeping and Hawley, the spare man, starting many moves down the right. With the pressure now off, Town began to enjoy the game with McMurrough, Johnson and Wolfenden taking control of midfield, providing probing chances for the forwards. The second goal eventually came through Dale Gilmartin. At this point everything was going Town's way.
Young Chris Alderson was again introduced and scored his fifth goal in as many games.
After the game, the Otley boys celebrated at the Rose and Crown at Otley where the landlord and his wife kindly provide refreshments for the championship winning team.
In a month that saw Otley Town Reserves play nine games in four weeks, the title challenge from their main rivals Boroughbridge, Pool and Beckwithshaw petered out.
In recent weeks Town have played all three teams, winning at both Pool and Beckwithshaw and losing out at home to Boroughbridge in the Harrogate and District Senior Cup on penalties, after the visitors equalised with the last kick of the game.
This game was played at the new, million pound Wetherby Sports complex, where there are six full size pitches, small sided pitches, an all weather floodlit pitch and other facilities. All this has been made possible by local people and businesses having generously given monetary donations, time, labour and a Lottery grant of £578,000.
The reason that Wetherby was successful with their lottery application is the fact that they have a 25 year lease with a 25 year option. Otley Town would also like to have a long lease so that they too could apply for a Lottery grant but negotiations over their new lease are still ongoing.
Otley Town A 8, Bramhope 4;
In the final game of their season Town A went out with two hat-tricks being scored. Bramhope, the Harrogate League Division One winners and finalists in two cups, had not been beaten in the league this season.
They seemed to give up this game rather quickly after the tireless Paul Bailey's speculative lob sailed over the head of their 'keeper. Steve Kilmurray made a great save to deny Bramhope an equaliser. Town added goals from David White (3), Chris Alderson (3) and Tom Crombleholme.
Golcar 0, Otley Town 4;
Town travelled to Golcar for their third game in a week, knowing that they had only pride to play for after winning 2-0 (Hutchinson and Lunn) at Stump Cross on Monday and losing 5-2 (Grice and Lunn) at Keighley Phoenix on Wednesday.
Town had a bagfull of chances in the first half hour and one effort that crossed the line was given off-side.
The scoring opened when Matthew Budden's through ball found Joe Lunn whose cross was met by a strong shot by Lee Grice. James Firth got the second before half-time when he raced through from half way to score through the 'keeper's legs.
It was all one way in the second- half with Town playing some excellent football and Firth completing his hat-trick. Firth's second came after a poor clearance from the 'keeper and his third when he was put through after good movement from Budden.
Town almost scored a fifth when Lunn's well struck shot hit the bar and came down with Steve Boddy following up with another shot. A defender headed again on to the bar and eventually the ball was cleared.
Manager Martin Budden was delighted with Paul North's first game back after a serious injury. With Paul making a comeback in the reserves these past few weeks, he started at left-back in this game, before switching to his more usual position in the centre of defence, when Terry Pearson went off.
Ovenden who need to win their remaining games to win the championship were hosts to Otley on Monday. Town travel to Lower Hopton for their last game of the season on Saturday for a noon kick-off so that the players can watch the FA Cup.
Northallerton Town 0, Otley Town Reserves 0;
Otley Town Reserves made the long trip to Northallerton with a re-shuffled side due to injuries. Town with the championship already won seemed to have taken their foot off the pedal in a match that must have proved fairly boring for the spectators.
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