West Yorkshire League Premier Division: Brighouse Old Boys 1 Oxenhope Rec 3

OXENHOPE got back to winning ways with a crucial victory over their fellow strugglers in the fight to avoid the drop.

They were boosted by the two match-day signings from Silsden of James Gill and Michael Garnett, who has returned to Rec.

Brighouse caused the visitors' back four early problems and they were indebted to young keeper Eddie Jackson, who pulled off save after save.

A change in defence strengthened the back line and Rec looked more comfortable. They built their own pressure, with Danny Driver causing problems with numerous crosses to Gill and Garnett up front.

The pressure eventually told when a great ball by Lewis Hopkinson was collected by Gill, who released Driver out wide and his cross to Garnett was slotted past the keeper.

The advantage was soon doubled. Gill was fouled out wide and the free-kick was superbly delivered by Driver on to the head of the former Cobbydalers boss, who made no mistake.

Just before the break the tireless work of Garnett paid off when he wrestled his way through the Brighouse back line, only to be brought down in the area and Gill stepped up to notch his second from the spot.

The second half started in a similar manner to the first, with Oxenhope having to defend as the home side came out of the blocks the quicker.

The visitors' reorganised defence held firm, with full backs Joe Jalil and young Owen Williamson keeping out the dangerous Brighouse wide players.

The game went a bit flat but was reignited when the home side’s striker found himself through on goal and he made no mistake with his shot.

This woke Oxenhope up, with wide players Driver and Liam Dyson delivering the ammunition for Garnett and Gill. The latter put the ball into the back of the net, only to be denied a debut hat-trick by a refereeing decision.

The visitors, with four under-19s in their starting line-up, saw the game out to take a massive three points in their relegation battle.

This Saturday they entertain Pool in the League Cup (1.30pm).

Oxenhope: Jackson, Nelson (Fleetwood), Williamson, Scott, Jalil, White (Chapman), Hopkinson, Driver, Garnett, Gill, Dyson.