West Yorkshire League Division One: Brighouse Old Boys 1 Oxenhope Rec 1

A GAME of missed chances saw Oxenhope hit the woodwork on no less than six occasions.

A strong wind spoilt the game as both teams struggled with the weather conditions.

The visitors started on the front foot, Lewis Hopkinson striking a fierce shot which was deflected over the bar. From the resulting corner the ball came out to Scott Nelson who hit a powerful strike from distance that rattled the bar.

Despite playing against the wind, Oxenhope dominated play and took the lead on 25 minutes. Dayne Ward drove forwards out of defence and played in James Bailey, whose cross was met by Tom Marshall with a glancing header.

Brighouse were reduced to ten men on the half-hour mark when Jackson Rouse was brought down after being put through and the defender was shown a red card.

Brighouse were always dangerous on the break and, just minutes before half-time, a long ball found their striker on the corner of the box and he let fly with a thunderbolt that gave keeper Stu Devlin no chance.

Oxenhope, now with the wind in their favour, took control of the second half with Hopkinson and man of the match Ben White dominant in midfield.

A James Bailey corner curled in and struck the bar, James Gill saw his strike deflected over and Marshall weaved his way past several defenders, only for the home keeper to block his effort. Marshall then turned provider but Gill’s attempt smacked the post.

Rec were camped in the Brighouse half as the woodwork again came to the visitors' salvation, Hopkinson and Marshall hitting the frame of the goal.

Dan Scott then played in Gill but the keeper made a brave block. Oxenhope tried every way they could to make the breakthrough their efforts deserved but Brighouse defended manfully and their keeper was in inspired form as the ten men held out.

Oxenhope travel to Aberford on Saturday in the League Cup (2pm).

Oxenhope: Devlin, Bailey E, Ward, Scott, Nelson, White, Bailey J, Hopkinson, Rouse (Quinlan), Gill, Marshall.

Alliance Division One: Oxenhope Reserves 2 Huddersfield Amateurs Reserves 5

The visitors got the breakthrough on the quarter-hour when the ball was swung in from the right and nodded back into the path of their striker to hit home.

Oxenhope were quick to respond, Dan Moriarty driving into the box and pulling the ball back for Will Lee to fire home.

The hosts took the lead on the half-hour. Jason McGee broke into the area and was caught by a defender, Lee calmly converting the penalty.

Five minutes before the break Oxenhope’s defence misjudged a delivery and a Huddersfield striker side-footed in the equaliser. Minutes later they took the lead, an unmarked striker turning and shooting into the roof of the net.

Huddersfield missed two chances early in the second half to increase their advantage. Oxenhope regained the initiative but could not break down a well-organised defence.

In the final minutes the home rearguard were caught high and square as Huddersfield's front man ran onto a through ball and slotted home before a quick one-two gave them their fifth.

On Saturday the reserves entertain East End Park Reserves (2.30pm).