Otley Town 1

Littletown 3

Again, like last week against Hemsworth, Otley Town took a long time to get started in this game. James Firth and Andrew Redman will be missing from the County Cup semi-final and manager Martin Budden, with a changed line up in mind for Friday's big game, started the game with both players on the bench.

A scrappy first-half saw the visitors get two chances and striker Matthew Tolson converted both for Littletown to take a two-goal advantage at half-time.

Joe Lunn pulled a goal back early in the second-half then with the added strength of substitutions, Town applied the pressure and Littletown were pegged back in their own half for the remainder of the game. Despite all the pressure, Town missed several chances; the best mis-kicked by Firth in front of goal.

With Town now pressing for the equaliser, a Littletown clearance found Paul Cartwright who ran clear of the Otley defence and rounded Taylor to score the winner.

l This Friday evening, Otley Town meet Campion in the semi-final of the County Cup at Woodlesford. Kick-off 7.30pm. The coach leaves Otley Post Office at 5.30pm

Otley Town Reserves 7

Boroughbridge 8

Town Reserves dictated this game for 90 minutes but still managed to lose. The first-half saw several goalmouth scrambles and Town hit the post twice through Wagstaff but the goal did not arrive.

Town scored early in the second-half when Bobby Johnson found himself on the edge of the area, beat one defender and thumped a left foot shot into the top corner. The players kept the pressure on for 90 minutes but a second goal would not come.

Somehow the referee found nearly six minutes of injury time and Boroughbridge grabbed an equaliser from the last kick of the game.

Extra-time saw Otley make another two good chances that went begging and the game went down to penalties. Chris Pollard saved the first two kicks with Otley missing one. Otley also missed the last of the first five penalties.

The next set of five penalties went down to the last two kicks. Otley missed and Boroughbridge converted to deny Otley a second successive place in the final.

Although Town can be proud of their performance it was just going to be one of those days. Boroughbridge never gave up and deserved the win on effort alone.

Town Reserves with just the league left to concentrate on, now see themselves at the beginning of a hectic period, with eight Premier Division fixtures still to play. These began on Tuesday with a visit to second placed Beckwithshaw. Saturday sees Town entertain Bedale Town; on Tuesday they make the short trip to Pool and on Thursday entertain Pateley Bridge. Evening kick-offs are at 6.45pm.

Manager Peter Nithsdale will no doubt have to rotate his playing selection, as evening kick-offs do not take into consideration work commitments, travelling time, injuries and aches and pains that would normally wear off from one Saturday to the next.

Otley Town A 4

Bedale Reserves 0

Town's A team gained revenge for their narrow defeat at Bedale earlier in the season, with an emphatic victory at home and with a scoreline that does not reflect Town's superiority.

As usual Town started the slower of the sides and for a while it looked as though Bedale might pose a threat but Town's defence over the last few weeks has been outstanding. Although Bedale had plenty of early possession they did not come close to threatening Town's goal.

After the recent wet weather, the pitch was surprisingly hard and bobbly, making it difficult to get the ball under control. However, gradually Town got into the game and began to create a number of chances, with striker Alderson always in the action. Town took the lead from an unusual source with Duncan Wilson volleying home from close range with his right foot, used normally only for standing on, from a corner taken by new signing David White.

With 30 minutes to go, Scott Cater replaced Adam Palmer, with Tom Crombleholme reverting to wide right. Cater's introduction gave the Bedale defence more to think about and Town extended the lead when Cater found time and space at the edge of the penalty area before hitting a low drive to the Bedale 'keeper's left.

This gave Town the breathing space they needed to be able to express themselves and they went on to create further chances to score through Crombleholme, Coneeley and Alderson, before a Bedale defender headed past his own 'keeper, from a long throw by Wilson under pressure from Ryan.

Ryan completed the scoring, forcing the ball home after a goalmouth scramble.

l On Saturday the A team are at home to Thirsk Falcons. Meet at 2 pm.