Bay Athletic 1

Otley Town 0

TOWN were disappointed to finish the year with a defeat which enabled the home side to regain top spot in Division One of the Muntaz West Riding County Amateur League.

Town's first-half showing down the slope deserved little, but a revitalised side dominated the second-half and definitely deserved something from the game.

Town started the game brightly with skipper Ian Wolfenden going close with a header from a well struck Chris Myers' free-kick.

The start flattered, however, and Bay were soon in control despite playing against the wind and slope.

Chances were at a premium though, and the home side were left regretting a penalty miss on 20 minutes.

Although the spot kick was reasonably well struck Town 'keeper Aidy Atter was able to keep the ball out with the follow-up shot being blasted wide.

On the half-hour mark Bay took the lead with a headed goal from a corner.

Not the first time this season Town have conceded from a set piece.

In the second-half Town took the game by the scruff of the neck and only a brilliant point-blank save deprived Wolfenden's goal-bound header from an early corner.

James Firth headed just over the bar but it was not to be Town's day.

So it's into the New Year for the next game, a visit to Altofts in the West Riding County Cup on January 2.

Otley Town Res 3

Kirkby Malzeard 3

Dave O'Halloran scored an excellent hat-trick to give Town a share of the points against Kirkby Malzeard.

It was Malzeard that started the game brightly with all their team working hard for each other and playing some simple passing football that had the Reserves chasing shadows.

Hard as the Town lads tried they couldn't keep the ball and just about every player was guilty of giving the ball away and allowing Kirkby's players time on the ball.

Shilton sent O'Halloran clear on one of Town's rare attacks but the striker shot over the bar.

Malzeard went in front with a well worked goal on 20 minutes when their young striker rounded Tony Cartner and then bent the ball into the corner of the net giving 'keeper Spencer no chance.

It was only in patches that Town showed any of the football that they have been playing over recent weeks so it was no surprise when after a scramble in Town's penalty area following a corner the ball was stabbed home to put Malzeard two up.

The game then became more physical with one or two meaty challenges and this seemed to spring Town into life.

Just before half-time good passing from Farmery, Budden and Shilton left O'Halloran clear and the striker rifled the ball home from the edge of the box to make the score 2-1.

It was a much better performance in the second-half from Town with some good attacking play and movement all over the pitch.

The Reserves were then awarded a dubious penalty which O'Halloran duly despatched into the Kirkby net.

It seemed that Town would go on and win the game now but Malzeard came back and the game flowed from end to end.

A defensive error let Kirkby's striker in to put his side 3-2 up and for the remainder of the game Town laid siege on the Malzeard goal.

With five minutes remaining O'Halloran scored his and Town's third when he rose at the far post and buried his header into the roof of the net to leave the final score 3-3.

Match Point went to Dave O'Halloran.

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