Yeadon VENTUS CELTIC 4

Otley TOWN 1

OTLEY Town's pride was given a bit of a dent with this heavy defeat at Yeadon's Dam Lane. Morale lifting will be the name of the game this week as manager Martin Ibbetson prepares his side for the County Cup first round game at Steeton.

Town were boosted for the Celtic game when they were awarded an early penalty which skipper Ian Wolfenden converted, the award had seemed a little harsh however.

Ventus hit back and Lyndon Spencer produced a good save before Lee Grice hit the bar with a snap shot from an acute angle.

Two goals in five minutes put Ventus back in front. Spencer made a good save but could only push the ball onto the post and was helpless as the Ventus attacker followed up.

A headed goal from a corner left the home side buoyant and Town with a fight on their hands.

They responded well but it soon became clear that it was not to be their day with Chris Myers and Lee Grice both hitting the bar and Declan Shilton unlucky not to finish off the best move of the game with a volley on the half hour.

Grice went close to equalising on the stroke of half-time but his shot went just wide after some intricate play between centre-backs Wolfenden and Paul North.

A goalmouth scramble following a corner early in the second-half almost produced a goal for Town but this was to be a rare chance as the home side took control.

Midway through the half Ventus netted a third when Town failed to play to the whistle.

'The provider of the goal was at least five yards off-side but Town still paid the penalty.

A good save denied Wolfenden as Town strove desperately to get something out of the game..

Ventus however sealed matters with a goal direct from a free-kick just outside the area,

It was a sorry day for Town who started well but eventually succumbed to a Ventus side who produced play which belied their lowly league position.

Otley Town Res 1

Pateley Bridge 3

Town Reserves made a terrible start to this Harrogate League Premier Division clash with 'keeper Atter appearing to gather the ball before being barged into the net by the giant Pateley striker. Amazingly the referee allowed the goal to stand.

In the 12th minute another free-kick was pumped into the Towen area leaving an easy tap in.

Town then came to life and played some good football but the final ball in was not converted.

Martin Budden and Ben Kelly up front for Town saw a lot more of the ball and both used it intelligently. Kelly caused all kinds of problems for the Pateley back four with his skill on the ball.

Hesitant defending at a corner let Pateley's big striker in once more. Town to a man believed they could pull the game round and they attacked the Pateley goal. Mark Currie, Dave Ryan, Chris Stuart and Paul Danskin dominated and had good support from full-backs Richard Danskin and Dom Tye.

On 73 minutes Kelly wove his way into the box where he was upended and Richard Danskin stroked home the penalty.

Paul Danskin raced into the area and had his legs taken as he was about to shoot. He was left writhing in agony with a badly damaged ankle but his pain became greater when the referee failed to award Town a penalty.

Carl Laurenson then hit a screamer but the 'keeper pulled off a tremendous save.

Although Town had 80 per cent of the play their sloppy play in the opening stages cost them dear.

Christ Church OB Res 1

Otley Town A 13

Otley Town A totally dominated this game with Bobby Johnson and David O'Halloran netting ten goals between them.

Johnson opened the scoring in the third minute to net from 16 yards and he made it 2-0 minutes later turning in O'Halloran's shot at the near post.

O'Halloran then struck twice before the break and David Howells finished off another attack to give Town a 5-0 interval lead.

Town again took control early in the second-half with Rob McGee and Arran Hodgson in the starting line-up for the first time having excellent games.

O'Halloran ran in another four goals to take his tally to six and Johnson netted two more to take his tally to four.

He then left the field in the 60th minute to give Mick Kernick a chance to join the action,

This he did blasting home a 20 yard volley.

Kevin Calder replaced Hardcastle who had had a comfortable game at the back. Carl Kernick took over from Howells and emulated his brother by scoring - albeit with a lucky deflection.

Christ Church pulled a goal back and all credit goes to them for keeping at it.'

Andrew Haughian, Gary Marshall and young Neil Howlett had sound games in the back four while Chris Pollard in goal had little to do.'

Andy Campbell worked hard up front without a goal to show. Match point went to O'Halloran.

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