West Yorkshire League Premier Division: Hunslet 4 Oxenhope Rec 2

OXENHOPE, with several players unavailable and at the same time trying to give the reserves every chance of taking their league title, went to Hunslet with five of the Under-18s squad in the starting line-up.

They got off to a flying start when Leon Smith gave them the lead following a good passing movement, only for Hunslet to take control and dominate the rest of the half, knocking in three goals. After the break Oxenhope got on top and produced several half-chances. On the hour, their efforts were rewarded when young Owen Williamson fired in from a tight angle.

The visitors continued to press for the equaliser but in the final minutes Hunslet broke away and scored their fourth.

On Wednesday night Oxenhope entertain Wyke (6.15pm) before they travel to Silsden White Star in the semi-final of the Keighley Cup on Saturday (1.30pm).

Oxenhope: Jackson, Scott, Metcalfe, Blacka, Hopkinson (Heaney), Quinlan, Smith, Moriarty, Garnett, Murphy, Williamson (Marshall)

Alliance Division One: Pool Reserves 0 Oxenhope Reserves 1

Oxenhope’s second string travelled to in-form Pool knowing every fixture would now be crucial in their quest to lift the title, especially after the previous week’s narrow defeat to rivals Beeston Reserves.

The visitors started the brighter, with Joel Gallagher turning his marker and firing just wide. Several more chances were created by Craig Morris, Danny Driver and Gallagher but the game turned into a midfield battle, with both teams cancelling each other out.

Morris went close in the opening minutes of the second half and the breakthrough came on the hour when he broke into the box, went past his marker to the by line and cut the ball back for Driver to run on to and finish.

Pool pushed more players forward but Oxenhope’s defence of Luke Fleetwood, Dayne Ward, Steve Davies and Dale Hawker stood firm. In the dying minutes Pool had their best chance of the half. Their striker found himself unmarked on the edge of the box and his powerful strike looked destined for the top left corner but man of the match Nick Hudson flung himself across goal to tip the ball over and ensure his team remain at the head of affairs with six games still to play.

Tonight the reserves travel to Field for another difficult away fixture before going on the road once again next Saturday to East End Park, Leeds (2.30pm).