Another heavy defeat at Town

TOWN went down to another heavy defeat at the hands of last season's champions.

The worrying thing about this defeat, though, is that last week Town were awful, this week they weren't half bad.

Indeed, for half-an-hour Town held their own, although neither side really created much to trouble the other and it took a piece of individual brilliance from Mick Gilmartin to break the deadlock.

He looked well covered as he took the ball at the edge of the area but a sharp turn and, even sharper, left foot strike left Ian Taylor helpless in the Town goal.

Even though it was against them even Town's fans could not deny its individual quality.

This aside, the status quo returned but it was broken when a complete misunderstanding in the previously solid Town defence left last week's tormentor Jimmy Spencer with an open goal.

This was right on the stroke of half-time and left Town with the proverbial mountain to climb.

They were, however, short of crampons and despite a five-minute spell in which Ben Hawley, Graeme Hutchinson and Ross Baron went close they were never going to attain the summit.

A ball played to the back post found Ben Furness with only Taylor to beat, Jimmy Spencer steered home a free-kick and then Gilmartin produced another wonderful piece of football to set Spencer up for what was, well taken as it was, a fairly easy hat-trick.

Gilmartin completed the scoring but then came an instance which Town could well heed as an example.

Hutchison was put through and comfortably beat the 'keeper to tap home what he, and Town, thought was a consolation goal.

Phoenix defender Dave Cangle thought otherwise and, while half the players were heading back to halfway, he cleared the ball off the line.

One minute to go, six-nil up and the determination was still there.

Town visit Storthes Hall this weekend, a side they drew one each with earlier on in the season. Let's see what happens now! Watch this space.

Spa Athletic....1 Otley Town Reserves....1

OTLEY Town Reserves were on a high after good results in recent weeks.

Both teams went into this game with good intentions but despite hard work from both sides, neither could force the winner.

Chris Dodson scored Otley Town's goal.

Town Reserves are away to Campion Reserves this week, in the WRCFA Trophy, 1st Round.

Otley Town 'A' ...8 Ripon Red Arrows...0

OTLEY Town 'A' achieved only their second win of the season in style.

Hard work and determination made this a very one-sided affair and it was plain to see that the visitors were very disappointed with their performance.

Dominique Blair led the Town attack with a five-goal spree with John Barber, Dave Ryan and Carl Laurenson adding to the visitors' misery. Ross Hutchinson played a major part in midfield and Graham Hawksby showed his strength when he came on in the second half.

Town 'A' are at home to Bramham Lions, in the league, this week with a 2.30pm kick off.

Eccleshill 'A'...9 Otley Town U12's...1

Otley travelled to Eccleshill hoping to gain there first win of the season.

Playing with an extra defender to try and stem the leaking of early goals, they got of to a terrible start.

Within the first five minutes Town were three down and in complete disarray. Key players were often caught out of position and with no shape to the side, conceded a further two goals before half-time.

The second half started slightly better. Thomas Piercy crossed the ball in from the right for Hal Stackhouse to score from close range.

From the restart Town were attacking again and Richard Brown scored what he thought was a good goal.

With all his team mates celebrating they failed to notice the referee had disallowed the goal.

This was the final nail in the coffin and with their heads down they went on to concede four more goals. The final whistle registered Town's heaviest defeat in Two seasons and one best forgetting.

On a lighter note, at least they came away with something. One of parents won the raffle.

Town's man of the match went to 'keeper Nathan Elliott, one of the few who wanted to win.