eight goal

thriller

Leeds University.........4

Otliensians Firsts.......4

LAST Saturday Otley travelled the short distance to Weetwood to play Leeds University in their penultimate league game. Once again changes were made and it took a while for the players to settle into the game. Otliensians went into the break 2-0 down but would have been further behind if not for some excellent reflex saves by Player-of-the-Match goalkeeper Jill Slack.

Soon into the second-half Otliensians' fighting spirit emerged and they were soon level after goals by Sarina Corney and Carrie Lees. Otliensians fought hard to get ahead as the University side continued to attack the Otliensian defence.

Otliensiansy went behind again only to come back within a few minutes with Sarina Corney's second goal of the game. In a frantic last ten minutes the University side took the lead once more but Otliensians' never-say-never attitude brought them level with a final goal taken well by Caroline Brown. A tireless performance by vice-captain Hayley Robinson earned her Player-of-the-Match from the opposition.

l On Saturday Otliensians take on Ben Rhydding in their final league game of the season.

Otliensians Seconds........3

Pontefract .....................2

Last Saturday Otliensians Second XI were up against Pontefract Ladies and were determined to maintain their unbeaten run. From the off Pontefract were on the attack and gave Otliensians quite a scare in the first ten minutes.

Eventually the home side found their form and were rewarded with an early goal which came from a cross by right-wing Ros Stringwell to Nicky Hawley who hit the ball right on target.

Pontefract had their chances but due to unforced errors were unable to equalise.

Sarah Ramsbottom and Ros Stringwell connected well and after some accurate passing at speed Ros Stringwell took aim at the edge of the circle to make the scoreline 2-0 at half-time.

In the second-half play continued with Otliensians still in the driving seat.

A poorly directed hit out by Pontefract was intercepted by Sue Houseman and pushed back into the circle where an unmarked Nicky Hawley smacked the ball home.

From then on Otliensians promise of the first-half began to fade a little and play got a little scrappy. Pontefract stepped up a gear and took Otliensians by a surprise with goal number one.

This gave the opposition a lift and they played with much more grit and determination and once more managed to penetrate the Otliensians' defence.

With the score standing at 3-2 Otliensians stood their ground but nevertheless were relieved when the final whistle went.

This was a fine overall team effort by Otliensians. Player-of-the-Match was Stella Stenton.

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