ARDSLEY 2

Otley TOWN 1

A SOLID first-half performance by Otley Town gave way to a lacklustre second-half display and a second league defeat of the campaign as they bid for promotion from Division One of the Mumtaz West Riding County Amateur League.

Town had the better of the first-half but had to wait until the final throes before they took the lead courtesy of a bullet header from Andrew Redman who timed his run perfectly to meet Carl Kernick's corner kick. It was Redman's second effort on target in a half in which chances for both sides were at a premium. Tom Dixon's header was saved just before Redman's success and Ardsley had a couple of free-kicks on target but nothing of real danger.

In the second-half Town created several early chances and were left to rue their inability to increase the lead as the home side became increasingly threatening.

They eventually gained a deserved equaliser with 15 minutes remaining. Town were not coping with the packed Celtic midfield and it was no surprise when they conceded a second goal, a beautifully placed left footer which gave Andrew Pickering no chance.

Town were stung into action and Firth went close from Graeme Hutchinson's header. It was not to be their day however and a valuable three points went begging.

The defeat was more depressing when news came through that big rivals Stump Cross has also lost.

Things have tightened up at the top now with Hall Green catching the front two and Lower Hopton still not out of the running.

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