Wetherby Athletic 1 Otley Town 1

OTLEY Town rescued a Premier Division point with a late Toby Harris goal at Wetherby Athletic on Saturday.

After a opening half in which both sides played attractive football but neither created much of note, the home side upped the tempo in the second period and began to dominate proceedings.

It was therefore no real surprise when they took the lead through their right-winger, a thorn in Otley’s side last season, who rifled home following a well planned free-kick.

Town were offering little in response, and the home side might have extended their lead on a number of occasions. Fortunately for Town they could not find the elusive second goal, and were left to rue their spurned opportunities when Toby Harris scrambled the ball home from a rare Otley corner with less than 5 minutes remaining.

Town will have to find some consistency if they are to make the top half of the table – the evidence from this game being that they are capable of so doing but need to do so for 90 minutes.

This Saturday Town have a tough match game against league leaders Field. The match is at home with a 2:30pm kick-off.

Otley Town Academy 1 Kirkby Malzeard Reserves 3

AFTER four straight defeats, Town were looking for their first points of the season however they will need to wait another week to get off the mark.

Due to players supporting the first and reserve team, five changes were enforced following the defeat to Helperby United the previous week.

Town welcomed the return of Gavin Phillis in goal and Adam Palmer in the centre of midfield to help nurture the development of the younger players in the squad.

The kick off was delayed as no referee arrived so Town's Manager Kev Bates had to take the whistle.

Town started brightly and passed the ball around with confidence but the visitors took the lead from a corner.

Town were hopeful of getting back into the match in the second half but they conceded a second goal after 50 minutes.

With 20 minutes remaining, the visitors made it three with a superb 30-yard strike.

Town didn't let their heads drop and their persistence was rewarded in the 85th minute when Richard Sharpe lofted the ball into the roof of the net for his fourth goal of the season.