WEST YORKSHIRE LEAGUE

Premier Division

Oxenhope 1 Carlton Athletic 2

Oxenhope did not get their season off to the best of starts as they suffered defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Wakefield outfit Carlton Athletic.

Returning to the top flight after two seasons away, Carlton showed why they were Division One Champions last season as they totally dominated the first half to establish a 1-0 lead.

Carlton were awarded a penalty after five minutes and Oxenhope were relieved to see the spot kick flash wide of the post.

The well-organised visitors were not to be denied, though, when the ball ricocheted around the Oxenhope box and Scott Nelson’s attempted clearance saw the ball shinned into his own net.

The home side’s cause was not helped when midfielder Graham Robinson was carried off with a bad knee injury. Oxenhope keeper Sam Lee made some outstandingly brave saves at the feet of the Carlton strike pair as the defence were overpowered.

The home side’s best chance of an equaliser came from a Dan Moriarty free-kick that flashed just beyond the outstretched boot of Will Wells.

Carlton continued to play at a high tempo with neat, accurate passing that had the home side chasing the ball but they managed to retain the single goal deficit until the half time whistle.

Oxenhope started the second half in a far more competitive frame of mind but just as they appeared to be getting to grips, some defensive indecision on 70 minutes was punished as the Carlton striker nipped in to smash the ball home.

Two minutes later the home side were handed a lifeline when Leon Smith burst into the box and was brought down, skipper Moriarty hammered the resulting penalty into the corner of the net.

This lifted the team as they now pressed for the equaliser, new team manager Danny Heaney reverting to three at the back and sending on young striker Owen Williamson for his debut to add to the fire power up front.

Several chances were created the best a Moriarty corner that Liam McNicol’s glancing header grazed the outside of the post but Carlton held on to take the three points.

Last night (Wednesday) Oxenhope travelled to Otley Town in search of opening their account before moving on to Wyke Wanderers on Saturday (2.30pm).

Oxenhope: Lee, Nelson (White), McNicol, Metcalfe, Walton (Williamson), Wells, Kaine, Moriarty, Smith, Robinson (Quinlan), Marshall.