West Yorkshire League Premier Division: Wetherby 2 Oxenhope Rec 0

OXENHOPE went down to fellow strugglers Wetherby, despite welcoming back striker Leon Smith from Silsden, in a defeat which saw them remain in the relegation zone.

Wetherby’s young side started the brighter but gradually the visitors got into the game, with James Gill providing through balls for Smith to use his pace to run on to.

The visitors created chances with Smith, Gill and Gaz Ritson all having sight of the target but their strikes either went wide or were collected by former Steeton keeper Sam Moore.

The best chance of the half fell to skipper Lewis Hopkinson, who connected with a powerful scissor-kick but Moore was in the right position to make the save.

At the other end young Oxenhope keeper Eddie Jackson made sure he kept the Wetherby efforts out.

Goalless at the break, the home side took their chance five minutes after the restart. A low corner from the left was swung in and, although Jackson got his hand to it, he could do nothing about the follow-up.

This lifted Wetherby but the visitors’ defence, led by man of the match Scott Nelson held strong.

Oxenhope regained their composure and once again went on the offensive. A long ball by Matty Wilson was collected by Smith, who beat his marker but his effort was kicked over by Moore.

A free-kick from sub James Bailey was met at the far post by Dan Scott, whose effort was blocked and Joe Jalil failed to connect with the ball as it rolled across the front of the goal.

On 80 minutes Wetherby sealed the points when a free-kick in the box was not cleared and a tame effort saw the ball roll agonisingly over the line.

Hopkinson did rattle the bar with a late header but the home side were in no mood to let the points slip.

The good news for Oxenhope was that fellow strugglers Brighouse and Ilkley also failed to pick up points.

On Saturday the team are on the road again at Horbury Town (2pm).

Oxenhope: Jackson, Ward, Wilson, Scott, Nelson, White (Jalil), Driver (Bailey), Hopkinson, Smith, Gill, Ritson (Williamson).