Pudsey Libs..........2

Otley Town..........2

AT the end of the old century Town had played 14 games and gained 37 points out of 42. Their record now sees 48 points from 20 games played and a once near certain promotion place looks a little precarious with Hall Green and Stump Cross maintaining the form Town are finding it hard to do.

Without being too derogatory this game was a bit of a joke. It kicked-off at 2.30pm and by 2.45pm Town were two goals to the good. Sound start, you may think, but when you consider two penalties had been missed in this time - well enough said.

The first penalty was awarded after two minutes when Lee Grice was upended after wrong footing his defender. Richard Langhorn's penalty was tipped onto the bar, he followed up to convert but, having been surrounded by a vociferous Liberal mob the referee denied the goal. The official was not to have one of his better days.

Five minutes later and Andrew Redman was barged over following a corner and this time the 'keeper saved Langhorn's kick. On the quarter-hour Langhorn's superb lob hit the bar but luck was on his side this time as Lee Grice followed up to finally give Town the lead.

Two minutes later and Michael Jordan increased the visitors' lead with a goal of pantomime proportions. Without going into too much detail the home defence left a lot to be desired.

On 21 minutes they got a goal back. The ball was clearly handled by an attacker before his cross was stroked home.

The rest of the half was poor but eventually the official finally got his notebook out to caution the Pudsey Libs mouthpiece.

In the second-half the home team soon equalised. They attacked, not for the first time, down their right-hand flank and the aforementioned mouthpiece found the ball landing perfectly for him to crash home.

If it had not been for a brilliant point-blank stop from Andrew Pickering Town could have lost this game. Their future is in their own hands and points must be gained as they face their three home games allocated to finish this month. Dudley Hill visit this weekend.

Town's Reserves gained a creditable victory in the cup at Ilkley and Peter Nithsdale's youngsters went down in a thriller at home to Helperby. Rob McGee (2) and Nick Woolley were the scorers as Town went down 4-3.

Whitkirk U-17s........2

Otley Town U-17s....4

OTLEY Town Under-17s had a rest from league action with this opening game in the end-of-season mini-league. As so often on a Sunday morning, the windy conditions played a part, and Town enjoyed its benefit in the first-half.

However, it took 20 minutes for Town to open the scoring following a flowing end-to-end move. Right-back Andrew Dixon win the ball in his own half and threaded an accurate pass to Alex Lister. Shrugging off a strong challenge, Lister crossed to Nik McCarthy, whose shot was only parried by the Whitkirk 'keeper. Ever alert striker Andrew Young turned the rebound into the net.

Otley extended their lead with an outstanding solo goal from Dean Wagstaff who ran threequarters of the pitch before rounding the 'keeper and scoring in style.

Within a minute of the re-start, Whitkirk reduced the arrears with an unchallenged header from a corner kick. Five minutes later the scores were level as Town struggled to come to terms with the home side's long searching passes. However, left-back Adam Cater was unlucky to see his powerful free-kick rebound off a post.

With central defenders Simon Tweddle and Ben Schofield sniffing out the threat of the home attack, and midfielders Scott McCullow, James Hoskin and Nik McCarthy working tirelessly, Town gradually regained the initiative.

However, a masterful, tactical switch involving Andrew Young and Dean Wagstaff proved to be the turning point. Whitkirk had no answer to Young's pace and industry, and Wagstaff went on to score two further goals to complete a memorable hat-trick. Ever reliable 'keeper Joseph Sayers came to the rescue late in the game but Otley fully deserved their victory against sporting opponents.

l On Sunday Town return to league action against Tinshill and players should meet at 9.45am at the Clubhouse.

Otley Town U-11s.........1

Bolton Woods..............4

OTLEY Town Under-11s took on Bolton Wood from Division A, in the quarter-final of the league cup. With a recent dip in form and self-belief Town had to raise their game to the standards they had produced over recent months.

Bolton Woods were a big side and a crunching foul on Town's captain Richard Brown in the first minute left him with a swollen knee for the remainder of the match. The quick forwards of Bolton were soon turning Town's defence inside out and within 12 minutes had opened a two-goal lead.

Otley fought back, and with what was Town's best move of the game got a goal back. Adam Mudd won the ball and released Thomas Piercy down the right wing. Whipping the ball into the area he found Richard Brown at the near post who fired home.

Town battled hard to get the equaliser and came close from a corner. The ball bounced about between players but no one could put the ball in the net. This spurred Bolton on and they hit back with two more goals in the space of a minute.

The second-half saw some tactical changes to the formation to try and get the Town's forwards more into the game. Richard Robinson had a lot of the play down the right flank and caused a few problems for the Bolton defence. Although there were no more goals Otley held their own and kept Bolton at bay. At the back, Sam Webster, Adam Mudd and James Hayward were made to work hard throughout the game because of Town's midfield been caught out of position too many times.

Town's Man-of-the-Match was Richard Brown.

Otley U-9 A..........4

Idle A................. 2

After last week's heroics, a slightly less convincing performance from Otley Town under-9s A. Despite starting reasonably well and being on top at half-time, with a three-goal lead, they then proceeded to take an easy win for granted.

In a reversal of the first period, Idle took the game to Otley, pulling two goals back. If it had not been for the steadying influence of Jack Wood the home side might easily have conceded another. Only a late and deciding goal by Matthew McGlinchey, sealed the victory that should have been more comfortable.

It was in some contrast to the first-half, when Otley started brightly. In the first few minutes a great cross from Michael Beecroft on the right found Wood in the area, but he headed just over. Beecroft then opened the scoring and added a second, direct from a corner - his second such finish in two games. McGlinchey added a third and the match appeared all but won. However, full credit to Idle for their spirit and a lesson hopefully learned for Otley.

Otley U-9 B..................1

Idle B .........................2

With Idle only bringing eight or nine players, Otley's 'B' team played virtually the same team as the 'A' team. However, they played with a lot more purpose than the 'A' side and could easily have won the match.

In the first-half, Sean Brotherton came close to scoring, as did Adam Walker, before James Dalby finally broke the deadlock from close range. With Andrew Kendall back to his tenacious best in midfield and Chris Baker and Simon Harris steady at the back,

Otley were looking promising. But with the half drawing to a close, the visitors equalised. Brendan Sutherland, making his debut in goal for Otley, was unable to keep the shot out.

In the second-half good runs by Lloyd Almond and David Smith almost resulted in a second goal for the B team. As it was, a hand-ball in his own area by the unfortunate James Dalby resulted in a penalty. It was converted and despite several close calls towards the end of the game with the Idle 'keeper inspired Otley could not quite find an equaliser.

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