West Yorkshire League Alliance Division One: Wetherby Reserves 3 Oxenhope Rec Reserves 2

Playing their first league fixture since late November, Oxenhope looked off the pace from the start at in-form Wetherby.

In the opening five minutes they could have been two down after a couple of basic defensive errors. The home side took the lead on ten minutes when a long ball over the top and a neat cut back saw an on-rushing Wetherby midfielder fire past keeper Nick Hudson.

Ten minutes later the hosts doubled their advantage when another long ball caught out the Oxenhope defence, pleading for offside, and Hudson was beaten low to his left.

Stern words from manager Steve Davies at half-time and a change of formation saw Oxenhope rally in the second period.

They were given a lifeline with a handball in the box and skipper Will Lee confidently fired home from the spot.

A moment of madness soon after saw the hosts gifted a penalty themselves but Hudson pulled off a smart save diving to his right.

Rec pressed for the equaliser but were caught on the break and were punished as the home side restored their two-goal advantage. Oxenhope refused to lie down and a Gaz Ritson cross was headed home by the ever-committed Joe Brady to reduce the arrears.

Hudson made several crucial saves one-on-one as Oxenhope went looking for the equaliser, leaving their defence exposed.

In the final minutes, sub Joel Gallagher rounded the keeper after being put through but somehow the custodian launched himself backwards to block the shot.

This Saturday the reserves host leaders Leeds City Reserves (2pm).

Oxenhope first team, whose game at home to East End Park was postponed, will look to make more club history when they travel to Settle United for a West Riding County FA Challenge Cup quarter-final tie on Saturday (1pm). They have never progressed this far before in their 103-year history.

The reward for the winners is a semi-final at county headquarters at Woodlesford, Leeds.