West Yorkshire League

Premier Division

Oxenhope 3 Bardsey 0

OXENHOPE rewarded a good-sized crowd with a superb all-round team performance to defeat reigning champions Bardsey at the Recreation Ground.

Young midfielder Sean Quinlan hit all three goals but the visitors had the hosts on the back foot until his first strike in the 20th minute.

A free-kick was awarded outside the area and Quinlan nonchalantly stroked the ball through a crowded area inside the far post.

Bardsey continued to press but Oxenhope refused to let them have time on the ball and took control, harrying the opposition at every opportunity.

Ben White and Josh Kaine, in the middle of the park, were on top form for Oxenhope and when Bardsey reverted to long-ball tactics, they found that central defenders Scott Nelson and Jason Walton cut out everything.

As the game progressed, Oxenhope started to get on top and on the hour mark the non-stop Leon Smith played in Tom Marshall. His shot was blocked for Quinlan, who volleyed in his second.

Minutes later, Quinlan had the easiest of chances to make it three as the keeper blocked Marshall's shot but, with the goal at his mercy, the youngster fired wide.

The midfielder was not to be denied his hat-trick though and, on 86 minutes, Ollie Metcalfe played a weighted pass to Smith, whose shot was parried by the keeper and Quinlan gleefully passed the ball into the net.

This was never-say-die Oxenhope at their best as they combined tireless running on and off the ball, closing down the opposition and refusing to let them dominate with neat passing football played at pace.

Oxenhope visited top-of-the-table Field last night, while they are on the road again at Boroughbridge on Saturday (2.30pm).

OXENHOPE: Lee, Gaughan (Day), McNicol (Moriarty), Nelson, Walton, White, Quinlan, Kaine, Smith, Morris (Metcalfe), Marshall.

Alliance Division One

East End Park Reserves 2 Oxenhope Reserves 2

OXENHOPE'S second string grabbed a two-goal advantage inside 20 minutes but had to settle for a share of the points.

Joe Brady opened the scoring, pouncing on an error in the home defence to lob the ball over the on-rushing keeper, and soon after turned provider by playing in Ellis Atha to volley home.

Skipper Liam Blacka then saw his strongly-hit free-kick from distance smack against the bar – but East End hit back before half- time, latching on to a long ball that deceived the Oxenhope rearguard.

After the break, the visitors gifted their opponents an equaliser as another long ball was not dealt with and although keeper Nick Hudson bravely blocked the initial shot, their striker tapped the rebound over the line.

The reserves entertain Brighouse Reserves at the Recreation Ground on Saturday (2.30pm).

Mastab's Craven League

Division Two

FC Sporting 5 Oxenhope Thirds 1

FC SPORTING emphatically ended Oxenhope Thirds' unbeaten start to the season and leap-frogged them into second place.

Aaron Abbas rattled in a hat-trick, with other goals coming from Chris Morris and Shazaib Hussain and Tom Thompson replying.

The thirds travel to play Salts Thirds on Saturday (2pm).