Station Wanderers......1

Fairweather...................3

SURPRISE winners of the Wharfedale Triangle League Cup competition last season Horsforth Fairweather this year came to the Crag Road United ground as favourites but faced a side which had provided two of their hardest league games.

Deprived of Andy Rhodes, Bowler, Tapley and Romagnoli, Horsforth none-the-less fielded an impressive line-up and went ahead as early as the ninth minute when Mark Duce's pinpoint cross from the right was powered home by the head of Simon Lee.

Station replied with a succession of dangerous set pieces but the Horsforth defence, including left-back Steve Sedgwick at his uncomplicated best, stood firm. Right on half-time good work from Simon Parker and Lee Monaghan set up Andy Jackson to finish decisively, his third goal in as many finals.

It was with hindsight the decisive moment and in the second-half Horsforth, with Pete Guzdek in commanding form in midfield, rarely looked in danger. Indeed, when Monaghan struck a superbly-controlled third following yet another Parker raid it looked all over.

However, the Yeadon side came back strongly and 'keeper James Hunt did well to deal with a couple of long-range strikes which took alarming bounces off the bumpy pitch, and one effort was chalked off by a marginal off-side decision before Tyler Gruszka finally pulled a goal back following a move down the left.

There are times in Fairweather's history when such a situation would have set the alarm bells ringing but they are a more composed side nowadays. Veteran centre-back John Steenson and the Ridsdale brothers fielded everything flung at them, and with the fresh legs of subs Richard Lord, John Newsome and Nick Perchard joining the fray there were no further concessions.

In conditions hardly conducive to flowing football Fairweather's outstanding finishing had seen them through but all credit to Station for their part in a good, hard but sporting contest, well controlled by Ian Metcalf.

In the Wharfedale Triangle League Premier Division, the big one is yet to come. It was on the season's opening day that champions Park Rangers, of Yeadon, and newly-promoted First Division winners Horsforth Fairweather fought out a 1-1 draw at Bedquilts.

On Sunday morning, almost nine weather-ravaged months later, they meet at Kirk Lane in what has turned out to be the title decider.

Six weeks ago Fairweather were ahead by a street but Rangers have mopped up their games in hand and are now only three points behind, while an avalanche of goals has brought their difference to within one of Horsforth's.

Fairweather remain unbeaten and a draw on Sunday will be enough to make the champions, whereas a win for Rangers by any score will see them home on goal difference. It promises to be some game.

Town on tour

Otley Town Juniors Under-10s travelled to Great Yarmouth over the May Bank Holiday, to compete in The Canary Cup. Both the A and B teams played several matches over the weekend, against teams from all over the country. The standard of competition was extremely high, so all credit to both Otley sides for performing well.

Although the B team didn't win a game, the lads achieved much praise from officials for their determination and fine sporting spirit. Their best result was a 0-0 draw against Vinters Park from Kent, although the most entertaining was the 2-3 game versus Swallows Incas, also from Kent. A great goal from Adam Walker opened the scoring, whilst Sean Brotherton scored a second following a great run by James Dalby.

The A team were unbeaten, with no goals conceded at the end of the first day and playing some lovely football into the bargain. A 1-0 win against Sun Postal Sports from Hertfordshire (Josh Waite the scorer), was followed by an 11-0 win over Vigo Juniors from Kent. Goals in this one from Murray Simm (3), Toby Harris (2), Jimmy Garner Currie (2), Jack Wood (2), Josh Waite and Matthew McGlinchey. The boys finished the day with a goal-less draw against eventual winners Alvaston Rangers from Derbyshire, who won all the rest of their matches. Indeed the Otley A team only missed out by a point on qualifying for the semi-finals, losing 3-1 to Leighton Town FC on the Sunday (Josh Waite again scoring). The fact that they lost whilst undoubtedly being the better side, made it especially tough for the disappointed boys.

All in all though, it was a great trip, enjoyed by all boys, girls and parents alike. The accomodation and facilities arranged by Sports Tours was first rate, so there was plenty for everyone to do outside the football.

World Cup hero Martin Peters handed out the medals.