Campion 3

Otley Town 3

With all the pre-season training and successful friendlies against Thackley and Farsley Celtic out of the way, Town got down to the beginning of the season with a draw at local rivals Campion.

Town suffered a setback when they lost stalwart Joe Lunn in the first ten minutes after an accidental clash of heads.

Joe was taken to hospital and 12 stitches and a badly bruised eye will not look too good on his brother's wedding pictures this weekend.

The Manningham side took a two-goal lead before Town got into gear with Tom Chadwick and Paul Harrison, both returned from their trips down-under, linking up well with new signing, striker, Michael Jordan.

At this point Graham Bentley, between the sticks, excelled himself with a string of good saves including a full-length fingertip save from a free-kick.

Town pulled one back before half- time when a speculative kick into the box by Carl Kernick, beat everyone, including the Campion 'keeper, who had looked suspect at handling the high ball.

Early in the second-half, Town were well on top with both Chadwick and Dave Conway impressive as the powerhouse in midfield.

Town took the lead during this spell with goals from Paul Harrison and Michael Jordan.

The pairing of these two could provide Town with a bag full of goals this season.

Under so much early second-half pressure, Campion must have thought that they were going to get nothing out of this game but they came back and scored the equaliser, which in the end seemed a fair result all round.

Town were without a game last Saturday but were away to Tyersal last night, Wednesday.

This Saturday Wakefield side Ardsley Celtic are the visitors to the Old Showfield Ground in Pool Road, Otley, kick-off 2.30pm.

Next Wednesday the first team entertain Tyersal in an early season return fixture. Kick-off 6.15pm

Town Reserves 6

Steeton Reserves 0

Town Reserves under the new pairing of Martin Ibbotson as manager and Mark Currie as coach are looking forward to the new season. Town Reserves will play in the County Amateur Reserve Division Two and last Saturday saw them take apart Steeton Reserves, a team from the division above.

Stuart Hinds, Chris Alderson and Dean Wagstaff all added the odd goal to Danny Royston's hat-trick.

Royston has now scored two hat- tricks in two games. It is hoped that the calming influence of more experienced players coupled with the youth of some of last year's under-17 team will give this team an exciting quality.

This Saturday Town Reserves play their first league game away to Golcar Reserves. Kick-off 2.30pm.

Otley Town A 4

Eccleshill Reserves 1

Newly-promoted to the Harrogate Premier Division, Otley Town A entertained new boys, Eccleshill United Reserves.

Last season Eccleshill played in the Northern Counties East Reserve Division that was disbanded.

The visitors started very strongly and took a well-deserved lead. The game took a turn in Town's favour despite Anthony Gilmartin failing to convert two penalties.

The first when the Eccleshill goalkeeper was cautioned for a foul at a corner and then he was straight red carded when he committed 'hari kari' by kicking out at a Town player.

Down to ten men and without a regular 'keeper Eccleshill struggled and Town took the lead when Luke Danskin outpaced the defence down the left and crossed for Tom Armitage to dive full length and head home.

Danskin then scored two himself, with prolific goalscorer Richard Sharpe getting the other.

This week Town A are at home to Spa Athletic, kick-off 3pm. Next Tuesday they visit Beckwithshaw, kick-off 6pm

Otley Town B open their season on Saturday with a visit to Harlow Hill Reserves, kick-off 3pm.

Then on Tuesday, kick-off 6pm, they visit Burley Trojans Reserves, kick-off 6pm.

Otley Town U-17s have a new coach/manager in Joe Whitworth who did a degree in Sports Management at Leeds and has qualifications in fitness and is a qualified FA coach.

Joe has had experience in running a local team before in Otley Wharfeside and is quite keen to see this team improve.

Although Town got to the final of the District Cup last season, Joe is looking to strengthen the squad. Joe would like to invite anyone who is under-17 to come along and join in with training.

There are only a few weeks left now before the beginning of the season on September 11. Training takes place on Thursday evenings at the Old Showfield ground in Pool Road.