Otley Town........2

Crag..................3

THREE dead ball situations cost Otley Town this game against Crag Road. The game started evenly with neither side able to get a string of passes together.

Crag clearly preferred the ball in the air with plenty of height advantage over Town. At every opportunity the two giant centre-backs moved into the Town penalty area and it was from a free-kick midway into the Town half that Crag went in front when the centre-back headed home at the far post.

Once Town had overcome this setback they settled down and started to play some good football with good movement off the ball pulling the bigger Crag lads all over.

A superb interchange of passes between Gilmartin and Langhorn led to Graeme Hutchinson racing clear before coolly slipping the ball past the advancing 'keeper to level the scores.

At the start of the second-half Town began the brighter of the two sides and went close on a couple of occasions.

It was always ominous though, when Crag had corners or free-kicks around the Town area, that another goal would come.

Sure enough the big centre -back latched onto a corner and the ball squeezed home to put Crag back in front. On 75 minutes Town got a deserved equaliser when once again Hutchinson raced clear to score another good goal.

Just when it seemed both sides would get a point apiece after a scrappy match with loads of commitment but not enough football, Crag scored the winner and yet again it was another corner slung to the back post and another free header.

Hopefully this was a one off display of bad marking by Town because the previous game against Campion they all defended magniciently when they had to.

On Saturday Town welcomed back James Firth and also gave a debut to Ian Taylor in goal. The latter having just signed and transferred from local rivals Yeadon Ventus.

Taylor played a major part in earning Town a point with several good saves, the most notable of which came on 75 minutes when he parried a Holmes penalty.

Town are slowly but surely coming to terms with the Premier Division and are gaining respect from well established opposition - no less because of their playing surface which hopefully will be maintained.

Storthes Hall were imposing opposition but Town settled well to their task and deservedly went in front on the half-hour with a cracking header from Carl Kernick and Richard Langhorn was the provider.

He had a superb 75 minutes before involuntarily having to leave the field.

The visitors' equaliser came from a free-kick. Aimed at the far post, it resulted in the same outcome as visitors Crag Road were presented with on the previous Wednesday. The only difference being Jessett volleyed in as opposed to heading.

Town's September programme is as follows: September 23, Ovenden (a); September 9, Stump Cross (h); September 16, Brighouse (h); September 23, Phoenix (a); September 30, Phoenix (h).

Robin Hood...1

Baildon Trin.1

This West Yorkshire League Division One game was a tremendous advert for local football. Played throughout at a furious pace there were chances at both ends, some excellent defending, great football and the game was also excellently refereed.

Robin Hood were very pacey up front and in the early stages caused Baildon a lot of problems. However, resolute defending by John Lamb and Neil Barlow kept the home side at bay

The nearest Baildon came to scoring was when a Lamb header from a corner was brilliantly saved by the home 'keeper.

There was no score at the break but two minutes into the second-half and Baildon were awarded a penalty when James Nestor was upended in the box.

Danny Jowett converted the spot kick courtesy of the post and the goalkeeper's back.

With Man-of-the-Match Gavin Renton totally controlling the midfield, Baildon should have made the game safe but Nestor and Luke Szpara both missed good chances.

Fifteen minutes from time, Parker equalised for Robin Hood. Despite dominating the final quarter Baildon just couldn't find a way through and had to settle for a point.

l On Saturday Baildon are away to Methley (Kick-off 2.30p.m).

Baildon's Sunday team opened their season with a 5-4 defeat at the hands of Quarry Gap in the Bradford Sunday Alliance on Thursday night but bounced back on Sunday defeating Malta Court 1-0 .

Guiseley

Dynamo

GUISELEY Duynamo JFC commence training at Horsforth's Lee Lane School next week.

Details are:Under-6 and 7 Monday indoors 6-7 pm.

Under-8 Wednesday indoors 6-7 pm.

Under-9s Tuesday indoors 6-7 pm.

Under-10s Monday outdoors 6-7 pm.

Under-11s Tuesday outdoors 6-7 pm.

Under12s Tuesday outdpoors 6-7 pm.

Under-13s Monday outdoors 6-7 pm.

Wharfeside are defeated

OTLEY Wharfeside continued their disappointing run with a 6-1 loss to Pool AFC. It was not without another excellent performance and after 20 minutes Pool were struggling to contain an under strength Otley Wharfeside.

Eddie Langren got the Wharfeside goal, a good reward for his persistence and tough tackling.

Man of the Match was shared between Mark Brear and Billy Cunningham although there were many other contenders. The Manor Pub have decided to sponsor the team in its first season, but anyone still interested in helping or playing, please get in touch with Joe Whitworth on 01943 464194.

Fixtures for the club are: Sunday, September 3 - away to Ilkley Dynamo (ko 10.30am); Tuesday, September 5 - away to FC Fox (ko 6.30pm); Sunday, September 10 - home to Milford (ko 10.30am); Sunday, September 17 - home Station Wanderers (ko 11.00am - Cup); Sunday, September 24 - home Ilkley Dynamo (ko 10.30am).