Oxenhope 3 Leeds City 3

An entertaining match at the Recreation Ground saw the home side come back from two goals down to share the points.

Leeds took the lead with their very first attack, firing in from an angle.

The visitors then took control of the first half with their quick passing as they totally outplayed the home side.

Just as it looked as if Oxenhope had survived to the break with only a one-goal deficit, Leeds struck their second.

Their left full back broke out of defence and went past several challenges before scoring from distance.

Rec upped their game after the break and on 50 minutes their efforts were rewarded when the tireless Craig Morris fired in from close range. Soon after, Oxenhope had a great chance to equalise when sub Leroy Hickman crossed to Michael Garnett but his header was held by the keeper.

Leeds went down field to gain a corner, the ball was fired in hard and low and turned into the net at the near post to restore the visitors’ two-goal advantage.

Oxenhope were not to be denied, however. On 75 minutes Hickman again collected the ball, crossed from the by-line and this time Garnett made no mistake with a thumping header.

Minutes later Oxenhope grabbed the equaliser as Hickman lobbed the keeper from out wide.

Neither team were settling for a share of the points as they both went for the winner. Leeds hit the bar with a rasping strike and a curling free-kick from Garnett was turned round the post by the Leeds keeper.

The result was all the more encouraging for Oxenhope as they had four of their first team unavailable for selection.

Rec, who are due to travel to last season’s runners-up Beeston tonight, host Wetherby on Saturday (2.30pm).

Oxenhope: Diver, Day (Hickman), McNicol, Nelson, Walton, Kaine, Fox, Quinlan (Smith), Garnett, Morris, Marshall.

*Oxenhope’s match at home to Otley Town last week had to be abandoned after 20 minutes due to a serious injury to Town player Declan Adams.

He suffered a badly-dislocated ankle and was taken to hospital.

The match was held up for more than 45 minutes, after which it was agreed to abandon proceedings with the score at 1-1, Tom Marshall netting for Oxenhope.

Adams will have an operation to repair ligament damage.