West Yorkshire League Division One

Whitkirk 4 Oxenhope 3

OXENHOPE left disappointed not to come away with at least a point when they nearly sprung one of the biggest surprises of the season in a seven-goal thriller.

They travelled to promotion chasing Whitkirk and led 3-2 with just minutes to go but were beaten by two late goals.

Whitkirk sat second in the league, in a rich vein of form and eight places above Oxenhope in the league.

In an entertaining, fast flowing first half both teams enjoyed spells of possession.

The visitors’ cause was not helped when Owen Williamson had to leave the field after only five minutes.

Oxenhope had first sight of goal when a towering header from Danny Driver rattled the crossbar.

Williamson’s place was taken up by Ewan Bailey and on 10 minutes it was his cross from the left wing back position that was headed in at the far post by Scott Nelson to open the scoring.

Whitkirk equalised on 20 minutes, a powerful free-kick from the edge of the area produced a good diving save by keeper Ricky Driver but his parry fell straight to the Whitkirk striker who made no mistake.

On the half hour the home side took the lead. A cross from the left saw keeper Driver and defender Dan Scott scrambling to get to the ball but the Whitkirk front man was there first for a tap-in.

Oxenhope battled back and deservedly equalised five minutes later. A counter attack, led by Dan Moriarty, saw him play in a measured ball behind the home defence for Lee Reilly to run on to and put away first time.

Ten minutes into the second half a well worked, low free-kick by Moriarty to Nelson, saw his strike saved by the Whitkirk keeper but Reilly was on hand to put away the rebound.

Oxenhope had the chance to go two-up on 65 minutes, but Dan Scott missed an open goal after another clever free-kick from Moriarty.

The home side were pressing for the equaliser but Oxenhope’s defence held firm, keeper Driver making an amazing save first from a volley and then clawed the ball off the line with a full stretch dive.

After soaking up all the pressure with some spirited defending on 85 minutes the pressure told. A cross from the left was headed in at the back post by the Whitkirk’s wide man for the equaliser.

In the final minutes, another scramble in the Oxenhope box and the home team’s midfielder was on hand to put the ball over the line from close range for the winner.

Oxenhope travelled to league leaders Rawdon and on Saturday are on the road once again at Wetherby (2.30pm).

The reserve’s game at home to Robin Hood was postponed because of a water-logged pitch, this Saturday they entertain Horbury Town Reserves (2.30pm).

Oxenhope: Driver R, Driver D, Williamson (Bailey E), Hopkinson, Scott D, Shaw, Scott L, Moriarty, Reilly (Scott J), Nelson, Quinlan.