West Yorkshire League Premier Division: Oxenhope Rec 3 Hunslet Club 4

A LARGE crowd saw a seven-goal thriller at the Recreation Ground as Oxenhope pulled two late goals back to draw level, only to suffer a defeat by a deflected goal in the dying minutes.

The home side got off to the worst possible start, going a goal down in the visitors’ first attack after a cool finish from Hunslet’s front man.

The game flowed from end to end with both sides finding the ball hard to control in a strong wind. A long free-kick from Dayne Ward found Mark McGee but no one could add the finish to his header back across goal. Ward then came to the rescue of the home team with a last-ditch tackle to prevent a second.

On 40 minutes Oxenhope drew level when Joel Gallagher rolled his marker, took the ball to the bye line and crossed for Jonathan Clewes to rifle into the net.

After the break Hunslet got on top and took the lead and on 70 minutes the game looked all but over as a strike from an acute angle went in off keeper Nick Hudson.

Oxenhope showed their never-say-die attitude and pulled a goal back when a Clewes corner was headed in by McGee. Minutes later the game was all square when for the second week running Joe Jalil scored another strike from distance, curling the ball into the top corner.

Oxenhope went for the win but in the final minutes were undone on the break when a strike from distance cruelly took a deflection off a defender and gave keeper Hudson no chance.

Before the game, players from both sides and spectators gave a minute's applause in memory of former Oxenhope player Darren Hopkinson, who passed away earlier in the week at the age of 48.

Darren was the goalkeeper for the team that won three Craven League titles between 2003 and 2006, including two league and cup doubles.

On Saturday Oxenhope travel to Hebden Royd in the first round of the county cup (2pm).

Oxenhope: Hudson, Ward, McGee M, Scott L, Scott D, White, Dyson, Clewes, Gallagher (Quinlan), Chapman (Jalil), Williamson (Lister).

League Trophy Round One: Sherburn Reserves 1 Oxenhope Rec Reserves 3

Oxenhope produced a strong second-half performance to go through to the second round.

The visitors started brightly but failed to create any decent threats on goal. Sherburn battled their way back into the tie but were unable to break down the visitors’ solid back four.

After the break Oxenhope went up a gear, with the midfield trio of Liam Fothergill, Karl Wellard and Danny Makinson dominating play.

Ten minutes in Rec went ahead with Jason McGee burying a low cross from Luke Snowden. The visitors were now moving the ball far quicker and it paid dividends as Tyler Brigg drove to the bye line, cut back in and struck the ball inside the near post.

A third goal killed the tie when Snowden went past his marker and squared for Danny Makinson to finish before Sherburn claimed a late consolation goal. This weekend the reserves are at home to New Carlton in the first round of the county trophy (2pm).