Town's destiny in their own hands

Dudley Hill..........3

OTLEY Town's poor run of form continued as they slipped to defeat against an improving Dudley Hill side who Town still have to visit and who they also face in a League Cup, semi-final on May 1 at Manningham Mills (6.30 pm).

Despite this defeat Town are still involved in a three-way battle with Stump Cross and Hall Green for promotion in the West Riding County Amateur League. At present Stump Cross have 56 points from 22 games, Town have 48 from 21 games and Hall Green have 35 from 16. Town's destiny is in their own hands as they have to play Stump Cross twice as well as visiting Hall Green.

All is not yet lost but it will be if Town continue to show the form they displayed on Saturday. They created few chances and rarely looked like troubling the visiting rearguard.

Indeed the goal they scored was only by courtesy of an horrendous piece of goalkeeping which allowed Joe Lunn's speculative shot to enter the net and at least give Town some hope for the last quarter of the game.

In the first-half Tom Dixon went close with a free-kick before Town went a goal down when Andy Pickering could not hold a free-kick and veteran Peter Edmundson was on hand to give Dudley Hill the lead.

Lee Grice should have equalised almost immediately but having done the hard work he delayed too long and his effort was comfortably cleared.

The second-half almost started disastrously and only good work by Paul North and Andy Pickering prevented a Dudley Hill goal. However, they could do nothing to prevent Edmundson's second from the penalty spot.

The award of the spot kick was contentious but Town took heart when Lunn pulled one back on 70 minutes. This did not however kick start Town into a comeback as their minds seemed elsewhere when Andy Cuff rose to head home Dudley Hill's third goal.

The next two weeks will be make or break for Town as they entertain Halifax Irish and Farnley.

Events have however been overshadowed by the death of former Town manager Brian 'Banger' Holmes. His son-in-law Peter Calder is currently following in his footsteps as first team manager at Town while his son Brian is a former Town player. The club's condolences go out to the Holmes family.

Town Reserves fought out a goalless draw at home to Bedale on Saturday and they will now be looking for better things this coming Saturday when they visit Pool.

Otley Town U-17s......4

Tinshill Dynamo........2

Town Under-17s completed their league programme with a hard-earned victory over their closest rivals for the league title Tinshill.

The early stages saw Otley well on top and they went ahead after 15 minutes with a confident strike from Ross Hutchison who latched onto an accurate through ball from skipper James Hoskin.

Tinshill rallied,looking particularly dangerous from set pieces. Town were grateful for Andrew Dixon's goalline clearance from a powerful, unchallenged header following a Tinshill corner.

However, despite a prolonged period of Dynamo pressure the Town goal remained intact.

The vsiitors opened brightly in the second-half forcing Adam Cater into another goalline clearance. A determined break out of defence by Ben Schofield led the fightback. Hutchinson extended the lead following a fine advantage played by referee Peter Cater following a foul on James Hoskin.

Again Tinshill rallied and they were rewarded with two goals from striker Simon Richardson to level the scores.

With both sides striving for the all important victory it was Town who finished the stronger. Andrew Young's miss-hit shot evaded the 'keeper to restore Otley's lead.

Substitute Ciaran Atkinson put the game beyond doubt with a comical rebound to reward his persistence.

Town must now wait for Tinshill to play their final two league games and anything short of two wins for them will result in Otley being crowned champions.

l On Sunday Town Under-17s entertain Pannal Ash in the semi-finals of the Harold Styan Trophy. (Players meet at the clubhouse at 9.45 am).

Long Lee A................2

Otley U-9s A...............1

Had the Town under-9 'A' team started the match the way they finished it, the final result might have been a whole lot different.

Against the unbeaten league leaders, Otley began slowly and were soon pegged back in their own area. In the opening ten minutes or so, Long Lee seemed to be first to most of the loose balls and it was no surprise when they took an early lead.

The visitors then began to step up their own game and Michael Beecroft went close with a fierce drive. The home side doubled their lead, following good approach play and a powerful angled shot left 'keeper, Jimmy Garner Currie, with no chance.

However, the longer the match wore on, the more of a game it became. Otley began to pass the ball better, with Josh Waite having an increasing influence in midfield.

In the second-half, though, chances were few. Waite struck one superb shot from distance, high into the net to reduce the deficit and everyone on the Otley team was suitably lifted.

Garner Currie pulled off a couple of good saves, whilst in front of him, Max Milner was at his tigerish best, breaking up many a Long Lee attack and then using the ball well going forward. Walker, Wood and McGlinchey all played their part in a great contest, which Otley only lost by the slenderest of margins.

Long Lee B..............9

Otley U-9s B............0

The 'B' team suffered their heaviest defeat of the season against arguably the strongest opponents they've faced so far. Despite early spirit, especially from the energetic James Dalby, poor defending often left the Otley goal totally exposed and by half-time the match was effectively over at 0-4.

Occasional half-chances presented themselves - Murray Simm being denied by a good tackle in the box, whilst Sean Brotherton also went close.

In the second period, the home side piled on the agony by adding a further five goals. Only some last gasp defending and heroics by Chris Baker in goal kept the score down.

Lloyd Almond typified the visitor's 'never say die' attitude, with several surging runs from midfield, although in truth the 'B' side were never at the races.

Otley's best chance came late on, when a superb turn by Brotherton, set up the speedy Dalby. Unfortunately, his shot didn't match the approach play and the chance went begging.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.