Phoenix..........5

Otley Town...1

THERE was much talk before the game about the 'demise' of last season's Premier Division champions in the West Riding County Amateur League.

Languishing pointless at the bottom of the table there was some belief in the Town camp that a much awaited first Otley victory of the season could be nigh. Oh, dear, how wrong they were.

It was Town who looked like the bottom team as they performed in such a manner as to make any thought of an excuse totally unjustified.

There was none of the football that gave early hope of a reasonable first season back in the Premier Division and, even though the home side were clearly not firing on all cylinders they comfortably got off the mark and doubled their goal tally also.

They took the lead on six minutes with a goal which is fast becoming a trademark giveaway by Town. A back post header from a set piece - Ben Furness was the beneficiary.

A poor clearance allowed Gilmartin to net six minutes later and the writing was on the wall. Town dug in for a while and could well have got back into the game but a penalty was missed just before half-time after Graeme Hutchison - one of Town's better performers on the day - was felled by a clumsy challenge.

The second-half was only five minutes old when any thought of a comeback evaporated when Furness was brought down and the home team's outstanding midfielder, Jimmy Spencer, showed Town how to take a spot kick.

Tom Dixon and Gareth Reynolds were both on target with free-kicks but they hardly troubled the underworked Phoenix 'keeper Paul Linyard. However, from the second of these, James Firth poked the ball home from the ensuing corner and Town saw a flicker of hope.

It was soon extinguished as a couple of gilt-edged chances were squandered and Furness notched a second as Phoenix broke quickly again. A volley from the same player gave him a hat-trick to complete Town's embarrassment.

Some soul-searching will have to be done before Town entertain this team at the weekend.

Another performance like this one will soon drive the fans away. Kick-off is 2.30pm at the Old Showfield.

Otley Town Res.......4

Wetherby Res..........0

Otley Town Reserves, undefeated since the first game of the season, got off to a great start through Bobby Johnson, whose shot from outside the area took a wicked deflection and left the visiting goalkeeper stranded.

Johnson later scored from the penalty spot after a wild tackle from a Wetherby defender who was fortunate to stay on the pitch thanks to the leniency of the referee.

Chris Dobson rose above the visitors' defence to head the ball home and Danny Emsley completed the scoring with a well-taken goal. With the score 3-0 at half-time, Town had done enough to win the game but need to be aware in future that the job is not finished at half-time.

For periods in the second-half of each game this season, Town have tended to let opposition teams come back into the game. The younger boys need to be aware that in weeks to come, 90 minutes will be required in order to maintain the standard required to challenge for top place in this division.

l On Saturday Town Reserves travel to Spa Athletic.

Pannal Sports Res....3

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

Otley Town's third team won their first league game of the season and the youngsters came away from this game believing they can match any team in their division.

Chris Nightingale scored the first goal interchanging passes with Carl Lawrenson. Debutant Dominique Blair pulled the Pannal defence apart and scored four goals, two in each half.

Paul Conway played well at the back and Ross Hutchinson made two of the goals.

l Town A entertain Ripon Red Arrows this week.

Otley Town U-14s...3

Rawdon U-14s........3

Otley Town Under 14's would in the past have considered themselves lucky to come away with a draw against against this Rawdon JFC team, who last year won the honours twice over Otley in what can only be described as convincing fashion.

This year Otley were quicker to the ball, and dominated the first-half from the start, they were soon rewarded with goals from Ben Leeming and Sean Lawless.

A consolation goal before half-time meant that Otley were running out 2-1 leaders after the half-time break but Rawdon rallied, and after 60 minutes of this 70 minute game Rawdon were back to 3-2 up.

Quick to respond, Stuart Ives turned a defender on a through ball and chipped the outcoming 'keeper to level the scores to 3-3.

In the dying minutes both Rawdon and Otley played hard to alter the scoreline again.

Ashley Dibb in the Otley goal gave a great performance on his debut to deny Rawdon any further score. Man-of-the-Match for Otley was Sean Lawless who gave a great all round performance although all of the Otley team battled hard.

l Otley U-14s will play away at Collingham on Sunday in the league.

Otley Town U-12.....1

Bradford PA............3

Newly-promoted Otley were up against last season's Division A champions and home advantage was the only thing in their favour.

After last week's shaky start, mid-week training had concentrated on ironing out a few problem areas and although Town had a better shape to their side they went a goal down within five minutes. Some excellent wing play from both Jack Cheetham and Richard Robinson brought Town right back into the game.

Richard Brown crossed from the right to find Thomas Piercy who fired home from ten yards.

The half-time team talk was full of praise and the players themselves thought they could go on and win. But for the second week running an early goal just into the second-half for the opposition had Town chasing the game.

James Hayward and Sam Webster gave their all for Town in defence but Park Avenue were slowly but surely showing they had the edge. A penalty to Bradford on 39 minutes wrapped the game up. Nathan Elliott in goal for Town saved well only to see his defence static and the Bradford striker net the rebound.

Man-of-the-Match went to Richard Robinson - a tireless performance.

l On Sunday Town visit Eccleshill. Meet at the Westbourne at 9.15am.