West Yorkshire League Premier Division: Oxenhope 2 Shelley 1

OXENHOPE had to work hard to complete a league double over their in-form visitors from Huddersfield.

They took the lead on the quarter-hour. Tom Marshall played the ball into Michael Garnett, who set up Dan Moriarty to flick the ball high over the keeper and into the net.

Oxenhope keeper Sam Lee produced a quality save at the other end before a free-kick by Liam McNicol was collected at the far post by Scott Nelson, whose powerful shot from a tight angle was held by the Shelley custodian.

The second half was again end-to-end. On 70 minutes a Moriarty free-kick was headed into a crowded goalmouth by Dan Scott before Leon Smith hammered home through a ruck of players.

The two-goal advantage was short-lived though as Shelley hit back from the kick-off. A long throw-in was flicked on and Antony Leech headed in from the edge of the six-yard box.

The visitors upped the pressure but their enthusiasm got the better of them when Smith burst down field and was felled, the guilty defender Andrew Farrell being shown a straight red.

As often happens, the ten men galvanised their efforts and attacked in earnest but Oxenhope’s back four of Scott, Nelson, McNicol and man of the match Jason Walton were determined not to let victory slip from their grasp.

This Saturday Oxenhope entertain Beeston in the League Cup (2pm). Their opponents are pushing for a league and cup double, and are also in the semi-final of the County Cup.

Next Wednesday evening Oxenhope travel to top of the table Fields (7.30pm).

Oxenhope: Lee, Scott, McNicoll, Nelson, Walton, Clewes, Williamson (Smith), Moriarty, Garnett (Murphy), Quinlan, Marshall (Day).