Otley Town.......0

Marsden............0

Otley Town welcomed this season's County Cup semi-finalists to the Old Showfield on Saturday, but the game ended a dour 0-0 draw.

Once again Otley started the game brightly, moving the ball around well and pulling Marsden open, but as last week the final ball into the box gave the opposing 'keeper no problems.

Iain Taylor, in the Town goal, did not have a shot to save in the first 45 minutes, as all the play went on in the middle third of the pitch.

The back three for Otley, Dixon, North and Wolfenden, were all excellent on the day and the few chances Marsden created were soon dealt with.

Ben Hawley and Graeme Hutchinson on the flanks worked hard all afternoon and on numerous occasions tried to get round the back of the Marsden defence.

Up front Damien Lee started his first game and although he'll need a few games to get match fit, he showed what a good touch he's got with some aggressive front running.

As time ran out it was obvious this game would end 0-0, Marsden happy not to lose and Town very grateful to get a point after some good performances, but all ending with no points on the board.

In the last few weeks the lead at the top of the table has changed hands three times and Ovenden, Brighouse and Hemsworth, the teams that are challenging for the title, have all been recent visitors to the Old Showfield Ground.

Town's youngsters must now take the bit between their teeth and gain the necessary points to keep themselves away from the teams below them.

l On Saturday Otley Town travel to play Marsden. Kick- off 2.30pm.

Otley Town A...............5

Harlow Hill..................2

Town A struggled in this one, despite the suggestion of the score line. A winning game by three goals and a converted central defender scoring a hat-trick should have been enough to see the game end with smiling faces, but that was not to be.

Manager Martin Budden seemed to think that the win should have been much easier. Dale Gilmartin has been on the score sheet in the past few games and scored a hat- trick this time. The other scorers were Matthew Budden and John Barber.

l On Saturday Otley Town A travel to Ripon Red Arrows. Kick- off 2.30pm.

Otley Town U-14s......9

Cookridge Albion......1

Again it was payback time at Cookridge for Otley Town Under- 14's who had twice been defeated last season by them.

On a muddy pitch which did not allow flowing play, Otley chose to use the upper wing of this diagonally sloping pitch and kick downhill to create several good attacks from the best and driest area of the pitch.

This policy paid dividends, and Otley dominated the first-half with four early goals but then as they turned and played uphill Otley had a shaky ten minutes finding their feet which let Cookridge sneak a consolation goal.

Soon Otley were on top again with a steady stream of well taken goals from attacks down both wings, bringing the final score to 9-1.

Scorers for Otley were: Luke Potusynskyj (4), Adam Smith (2), Chris Marshall, Tiggi Pickard and Danny Fahy. Man-of-the-Match again for his consistent mid-field battling was Ryan McMurray.

l Otley visit Horsforth Dynamo on Sunday (Meet at the Lix car park at 9.15am. Team details from Steve Norfolk on 01943 461869).