Oxenhope Rec 2 Knaresborough Town 2

A BATTLING performance by nine-man Oxenhope came back to salvage a deserved share of the points in a thrilling game that had everything.

A good crowd were rewarded with an end-to-end match, with some good football played on a heavy pitch.

Oxenhope were soon on the back foot, with keeper Sam Lee making a fine save and skipper Scott Nelson clearing off the line. The home side came into the game, Josh Kaine bringing a good save out of the keeper and Craig Morris heading over.

At the other end stand-in defender Ollie Metcalfe made a superb block when one on one.

On 50 minutes the deadlock was broken when a shot from the edge of the box hit Will Wells hand and Knaresborough scored from the spot.

Their lead was short-lived as Kaine's cross found Moriarty, who laid the ball into the path of Morris. He hit a scorching shot which the keeper touched over but from the resulting Moriarty corner, Liam McNicol powerfully headed home at the near post.

On 65 minutes a referee’s decision caused mayhem. Defender Nelson went up for a ball just outside the box and came down on a Knaresborough player, which the official deemed deliberate and showed him a straight red.

Incensed team-mates surrounded the referee and yellow cards were flashed at several, including McNicol.

The visitors capitalised on the resulting free-kick, which took two wicked deflections and spun over the line despite keeper Lee getting his hand to it.

Worse was to follow as McNicol kept up his complaint over the decision and was shown a second yellow.

Reduced to nine men, Oxenhope showed their true team spirit, closing down and challenging for every ball.

On 85 minutes their efforts were deservedly rewarded when man of the match midfielder Lewis Hopkinson, who had covered every blade of grass, was brought down 25 yards out. Moriarty stepped up and hit a stunning free-kick into the top corner of the net.

The home side defended as if their lives depended upon it as Knaresborough threw everything at them but couldn't find a winner.

This Saturday Oxenhope host Beeston, who beat them 5-1 earlier in the season (2.30pm).

Oxenhope: Lee, Nelson, McNicol, Metcalfe, Wells, Hopkinson, Kaine, Quinlan (Walton), Moriarty, Morris (Brady), Marshall (Madden).

Brighouse Reserves 1 Oxenhope Rec Reserves 3

Despite missing six regulars, Oxenhope went back to the top of Alliance Division One after coming from behind.

Rec struggled early on a slippery pitch as Brighouse took the lead when their wide player got in behind the defence and squared the ball for an easy tap-in.

Another attack saw defender Ben Manning clear another certain goal at the far post.

Rec manager Steve Davies changed to a 4-4-2 formation which made an instant impact as, just before the break, Grez Robinson waltzed his way past two defenders, played the ball out to Tom Thompson and his cross was volleyed home by James Bailey.

After the break Oxenhope pinned the home side back but chances went begging. Leroy Hickman had a couple of opportunities when one-on-one, front man Tony Cooper caused all sorts of problems but could not find the target and Robinson sliced just wide.

On the hour-mark, the pressure told as Bailey delivered a ball from deep, Scott out-jumped his marker and his bullet header went in at the far post.

Scott was in fine form and, alongside skipper Liam Blacka, was instrumental in keeping Brighouse at bay.

It was from another Bailey assist that enabled Scott to score his second when an in-swinging corner was met with another firm header.

This weekend the reserves travel to Beeston Reserves in a quarter-final tie of the League Trophy (2.30pm).