Otley Town 1 Farnley 0

AFTER a couple of disappointing weekends Town gained a much needed morale booster ahead of their forthcoming County Cup-tie at home to Premier Division Golcar United.

Psychologically the District Cup defeat was a real blow but manager Martin Ibbetson rallied his men to good effect to gain a valuable two points and keep Town in the upper half of Division One of the Muntaz County Amateur League.

Town are now in seventh place, five points adrift of leaders Bay Athletic. The game this weekend was watched by the members of Town's 1976 District Cup-winning team - all 11 plus the reserve turned up for the event which was a great success and one which, hopefully, can be built on in the future. The clubhouse certainly livened up as Alan Easton, Mallie Spencer et al relieved fond memories of the past.

However, back to football and the goal which won the match. Striker Lee Grice has claimed the goal which came midway through the first-half despite some brave goalkeeping. Town's bustling striker was the stronger of a quartet who converged on Mark Curries through ball. The Farnley 'keeper had earlier kept his side in contention with two magnificent saves. The game itself was a scrappy affair but, for Town, it was the points that mattered this weekend.

l On Saturday, as mentioned, Town entertain Golcar in the West Riding County Cup, kick-off is 1.45pm.

Otley Town Reserves 4 Pateley Bridge 1

An excellent team performance from Town Reserves ensured that they progressed into the next round of the League Challenge Cup at the expense of high riding Pateley Bridge.

It was a shaky start though for Town with Pateley starting the brighter and they could have scored when Martin Budden headed against his own bar when trying to clear.

When Dinsdale tried to clear a corner the reeree adjudged that the ball had hit his arm and a penalty was awarded which gave Pateley the lead.

This jerked Town into action and they started to play the ball about with much more conviction.

They matched Pateley man for man in a good, hard match.

In the 20th minute Dinsdale picked the ball up inside the Pateley half and with the defence opening up he ran straight into the penalty area before unleashing a great strike to level the score.

It was all Town now with Graeme Hutchinson and Ben Kelly causing all kinds of problems up front.

Twice Hutchinson's pace left him free with just the 'keeper to beat but on both occasions the 'keeper made good saves.

However, he could do nothing about Town's second when Hutchinson finished well.

Kelly then went through on his own but once again the excellent 'keeper saved.

Town's back four were in superb form and looked a solid unit. Lyndon Spencer dealt well with everything that came his way in goal.

Just before the break Hutchinson got his second with an excellent finish.

Town knew they had to keep competing and passing the ball in the second-half and Dinsdale made another great run into the penalty area but shot just wide.

He then had to leave the field with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Carl Laurenson who did an excellent job.

Budden, Ryan and Howells were magnificent in Town's midfield on a very heavy pitch. They worked tirelessly.

Town were always in control in the second-half and with Hutchinson and Kelly a goal was always in the making.

The fourth goal came when Howells won the ball and laid it out to Kelly who turned the defence and then pushed the ball into the path of Howells and the midfielder made no mistake.

This was a superb team performance but Ben Kelly won the match point having his best game of the season.

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