EASTMOOR 0

Otley TOWN 1

OTLEY Town's management were looking for a good performance following the disappointment of the previous week and they were not let down.

They made two changes with Gareth Reynolds returning from an enforced one match absence and Graeme Hitchison, a patient substitute for the last couple of weeks, was given a start partnering James Firth up front.

This allowed Richard Langhorn to return to midfield where his influence was noticed immediately. Town were given first use of the breeze and played uphill on a pitch where the surface was a credit to the home side. Town were soon on the attack and soon took the lead when Joe Lunn met Langhorn's free-kick with a perfect header. This amazingly turned out to be the only goal of the game.

Eastmoor could have drawn level straight away but Andy Pickering made a brilliant close range save to deny the home number nine who was a real thorn in Town's side despite the close attention he received from Andrew Redman.

At the other end Hugo Hunter in the Eastmoor goal was in inspired form and pulled off saves from Langhorn and Lunn.

He had earlier denied Tom Dixon after a fine run and was saved by his post when Langhorn almost found the target. As the half drew to a close Carl Kernick, dangerous throughout, had an effort cleared off the line and Town had to settle for the slimmest of leads having dominated the half.

An early second-half onslaught unexpectedly failed to materialise and a snap-shot from James Firth was again saved by Hunter who then comfortably dealt with Ian Wolfenden's header from the ensuing corner.

In reply Eastmoor contrived to waste a couple of gilt edged chances - notably via the head of their centre-forward but there was no denying Town.

Paul North was again a rock at the back with skipper Wolfenden giving a lead with some hefty but fair challenges in a game which drew praise from the referee for the players' attitude. Overall it was a splendid comeback by Town who remain at the top of the table on goal difference.

Town have a week away from league action as they make their third attempt to play their Wharfedale FA Challenge Cup quarter-final at Baildon Trinity Athletic with a 1.30 pm kick-off.

Otley Town U-11s.....6

Thornton Trav.........4

With Otley Under-11s having played Thornton twice this season, once in the league and once in the Cup, they knew they were up against a well-organised side.

The threat of Thornton's two quick forwards forced Otley into playing a four-four-two formation. The extra men at the back gave the forwards more space and were passing the ball around well. Jack Cheetham got Town off to a good start with a well-hit goal within two minutes. Then on nine minutes Thomas Piercy challenged the 'keeper for a 50/50 ball and the ball fell to Richard Brown to slot home. Richard Brown then hit a ball for Thomas Percy to chase and he chipped the Thornton 'keeper to make it three-nil.

Thornton then hit Town on the break and pulled a goal back. From the restart Town went straight down to their end and Thomas Piercy got his second. Thornton weren't going to let Otley run away with it and after Nathan Elliott had made two good saves in the Otley goal Thornton grabbed a second. With Richard Robinson tormenting the Thornton defence it was only a matter of time before he was upended in the box. Jack Cheetham rifled home the spot kick to make it 5-2 at the break.

The half-time team talk suggested it wasn't all over as Thornton needed to win to have any chance of winning the league. A Town own goal didn't help matters but then on 40 minutes Thornton scored an own goal from a well-taken corner.

The end to end football had taken its toll on Town's midfield and with legs tiring Adam Mudd and Jake Fielden were introduced. This stopped the Thornton challenge and Otley had most of the possession for the final quarter. Five minutes from time Thornton got a penalty for a push in the back of their centre forward and it was converted to make it 6-4. The final whistle had both sides congratulating each other for playing a part in a great game.

Town's Man-of-the-Match went to Richard Brown for a very determined performance.

Town are at home on Sunday to Eccleshill, meet at 10.45am. If Town win their next two games they will win the league. Any additional support would be welcomed for the 11.30 am kick-off on Sunday at Prince Henry's playing fields, Wharfemeadows Park.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.