West Yorkshire League Premier Division: Oxenhope Rec 2 Beeston 5

OXENHOPE made a sluggish start and were made to pay for it as a well-organised and rampant Beeston, aided by a strong wind, took control of the first half.

The visitors opened the scoring after just ten minutes when a break down the right and a cross along the bye line was squeezed in at the near post.

On the quarter-hour Beeston added their second when a header smacked against the bar from a corner, only for a follow-up header to find the roof of the net.

Things could have got worse when a wind-assisted strike from distance seemed destined for the top corner but keeper Sam Lee flung himself across the goal and tipped it over. However, on the half-hour Beeston added another, their striker converting after a long ball over the top.

The home side responded when Tom Marshall played in Craig Morris and his cross just evaded the outstretched boot of Dan Moriarty. Just as it appeared that Oxenhope had weathered the storm, Beeston hit them with two more quick goals before the break. A corner evaded everyone and was headed in at the far post, followed by a goal after a break down the right.

The home side produced a far better display in the second period. Sub Leroy Hickman came on and created several openings down the right. A corner from Moriarty was headed over by Lewis Hopkinson and Marshall went through on goal but the keeper saved his strike.

On 75 minutes the pressure told when Josh Kaine’s shot was beaten out and Moriarty lashed home from the edge of the box. Minutes later a cross from the hard-working Morris was headed in by Ollie Metcalfe and Moriarty cleverly juggled the ball past two defenders but his final effort went over.

Moriarty’s good form over the past few weeks has been rewarded with a call-up to the West Yorkshire League representative side at Knaresborough Town tonight.

Oxenhope face another stern test this Saturday when they travel to in form Horbury Town who lie second in the table (2.30pm).

Oxenhope: Lee, Wells (Bentham), McNicol, Metcalfe, Nelson, Hopkinson (Day), Kaine, Moriarty, Morris, Quinn (Hickman), Marshall.

League Trophy Quarter-Final: Beeston Reserves 1 Oxenhope Rec Reserves 0

Having beaten Beeston’s second string in the league earlier in the season, Oxenhope knew the home side would want revenge.

The home side produced the early pressure but Oxenhope’s defence dealt comfortably with the threat. The visitors gradually started warming to their task as James Bailey’s long-distance strike was blocked and Grez Robinson dribbled his way past two defenders but his final strike lacked power.

After the break the wind picked up and Oxenhope were pegged back. Their defence looked solid but Beeston took the lead with a wind-assisted fluke goal from a corner. An Oxenhope equaliser proved elusive as the reserves failed to find the net for the first time this season.

This Saturday Rec resume their title hunt as they entertain bottom of the table Aberford Reserves (2.30pm) in Alliance Division One.

Craven League Division Two: Oxenhope Thirds 5 Settle Reserves 0

After defeating the same opposition last week in the League Cup 6-0, Oxenhope Thirds nearly repeated the scoreline.

The home side took the lead when Ben Manning won the ball and played it into Nivard Trowers to smash in from 30 yards. Their second came from a quick throw-in to Paul Quinlan, who went past three defenders and hammered his strike home.

Trowers grabbed his second when he received the ball from Danny Fazackerley, danced his way around two defenders and slid the ball into the bottom corner.

After the break Oxenhope continued to press forward but the Settle keeper kept his team in the game with numerous blocks and saves.

Goal number four came when a through-ball by Tom Brown found Connor Madden, who was brought down by the keeper and converted the resulting penalty. The final goal came courtesy of all three subs. Sam Cameron played a weighted pass into Matty Klava, who beat his marker and crossed for Liam Dyson to sweep the ball into the net.

This Saturday the thirds host fellow promotion hopefuls Grassington Reserves (2pm).