Oxenhope give a lesson to the ‘champions elect’

3:17pm Thursday 24th April 2008

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Oxenhope 7 Skipton LMS 1

Oxenhope handed out a footballing lesson as they destroyed the Premier Division's champions elect' Skipton LMS.

Only needing one point from their remaining three games for the Skipton side to take the title, reigning champions Oxenhope were determined to make them wait a little longer.

In a tight first half both sides had their chances, then midway through a cross from Dan Moriarty was converted by Tom Wallbank. After that LMS rallied and came close on a couple of occasions.

Early into the second period a Moriarty corner was met with a diving header from Chris Day and then the floodgates opened.

A Skipton defender passed back to his keeper Will Freakes, only for his poor clearance to fall into the path of Wallbank who then slotted his shot beneath the despairing keeper.

Oxenhope's Nivard Trowers was pulling the strings in midfield and when he collected the ball he glided past two defenders before picking his spot and sending in a long floating ball that sailed across the box and went in at the far post.

As Oxenhope continued to press forwards they were caught on the break as Skipton pulled one back. Wallbank then went down the line, skipping past several tackles before delivering a cross that was missed by the keeper and Chris Newman was on hand to tap into the empty net.

A neat one-two between Mori-arty and Jonathan Clewes allowed Moriarty to place his shot and the rout was completed when Wall-bank turned his defender before stroking the ball into the corner for a well-deserved hat-trick.

Oxenhope have now comfortably beaten Skipton LMS twice in the league as well as knocking them out of the League Cup. They will face them again in the Northern Plant Hire Cup final, on Wednesday, May 7, at Gargrave.

WFC Clitheroe 1 Oxenhope 5

On Saturday Oxenhope continued their recent run of good form with a comfortable win at WFC Clitheroe.

With both teams having to cope with a strong blustery wind the home side took the lead on the quarter when a cross from the right was finished with a good firm header into the far bottom corner.

Oxenhope drew level shortly after when Chris Day stabbed in at close range from a Tom Wallbank cross. Wallbank had the chance for the visitors to take the lead but his penalty was well saved by the Clitheroe keeper.

Oxenhope were not to be denied and shortly before the break Jona-than Clewes scored with a strong strike from just inside the box.

Early in the second half centre half Alex Towler increased the visitor's advantage with a fine finish from a Nivard Trowers' corner, shortly followed by Day claiming his second goal which he converted with a strong shot following a corner.

The home side had the chance to reduce the arrears when they were awarded a penalty but the spot-kick was ballooned over the crossbar.

In the final minutes substitute Rob Pullan scored with a cross cum shot which flew over the keeper's head and into the far top corner to complete a convincing victory, increasing the pressure on league leaders Skipton LMS.

This Saturday Oxenhope will try to continue their unbeaten run of 15 games with their final league game of the season when they entertain Clitheroe Lions at Marley before attempting to win an unprecedented cup treble of Keighley Cup, Craven League Cup and Northern Plant Hire Cup in the following fortnight.