Otley TOWN 3

BAY ATHLETIC 0

IT was back to league action for Otley Town following the disappointment of defeat in the Wharfedale Challenge Cup. Before the game Town took delivery of new training tops sponsored by Home and Leisure UK of Riffa Business Park.

Indeed Town had plenty of time to parade the new garments as their visitors arrived late and kick-off was delayed for 20 minutes.

Bay are one of the two sides who have defeated Town in the league this season but they rarely looked likely to repeat the feat as Town soon took a grip on the game and two goals in the first quarter virtually sealed matters.

The goals came from Michael Jordan and Lee Grice who started a game together for the first time since the beginning of December.

There was no further score before the break but there could well have been.

The second-half was much the same with few highlights. Richard Langhorn converted a penalty awarded when the Bay 'keeper took exception to a legitimate challenge by Grice.

The 'keeper planted one on Grice's chin and was sent off. His replacement was soon in action picking the ball out of the net from the penalty. He did however make one superb save towards the end of the game from a Ben Hawley header when the chance was laid on by fellow full-back Andrew Redman.

Town still lie in second place and will be hoping to consolidate this Saturday when they visit Pudsey Liberals.

The rest of March sees home games against Dudley Hill, Halifax Irish and Farnley.

Town Reserves surrendered a two goal lead to go down 3-2 at home to Spa Athletic. Both goals were scored by James Firth who was having a break from first team duty.

Nick Woolley and Matthew Budden each notched goals for the third team as they won 2-0 at Ripon City in their last away game of the season.

Town U-17s are

guaranteed

a high finish

Killinghall U-17s........2

Otley Town U-17s.........3

Having defeated champions Pannal Ash in their previous game, Otley Town knew that victory over Killinghall would guarantee at least second place in this season's league competition. However, Killinghall have been Town's bogie team and still had hopes of a top two place themselves.

The importance of the game was not lost on both sets of players as they battled to contend with a strong wind and squally showers. However, flowing football proved virtually impossible with Town's short passing game contrasting with the long ball style of the home side. Killinghall took the lead with a powerful low shot from their fast, dangerous striker.

Otley levelled the scores following the best move of the game involving Adam Cater and Scott McCullow, whose cross was cleared into the path of Nik McCarthy who made no mistake from 25 yards with an unstoppable shot.

The second-half contained much action and some controversy, both sides being denied good penalty claims. Town took the lead through the hard working Nick Smith who stabbed the ball home from close range. Killinghall fought back and were awarded a penalty which was expertly converted to level the scores again.

With time running out and a draw looking likely, the never-say-die attitude of the Otley players was finally rewarded thanks to the persistence of Andrew Young who beat two defenders before slotting the ball home.

l On Sunday Town travel to Manston (Whitkirk) in the end of season mini-league. Players meet at Otley Post Office at 9.15 am.

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