Oxenhope 6 Rothwell 1

A LEE Reilly hat-trick steered Oxenhope produced to their best performance of the season in beating fellow mid-table Rothwell in West Yorkshire League Division One.

Strong defensively, dominating the midfield, breaking quickly down the flanks and clinical in front of goal, Oxenhope had possession for the vast majority of the game and at the same time played attractive, neat passing football in a good all-round team performance.

The home side took the lead after just five minutes, James Bailey, Tom Marshall and Reilly linking up well for the latter to score his first with an assured finish.

Rothwell were penned in but dangerous on the break and they equalised soon after when a shot from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection that looped over stand-in keeper Sam Lee and sneaked in just under the crossbar.

Oxenhope were not daunted by this setback and continued to play their passing game.

Dan Scott had a good effort saved by the keeper before on the quarter the pressure told as Oxenhope regained the lead when a quality Marshall cross was headed in by Dan Moriarty.

Soon after Bailey put a raking pass across to the far side of the field to Reilly, who teed the ball up nicely for Moriarty to score his second with a scissor kick.

Scott Nelson went close with a header before Reilly notched his second, heading in a Bailey cross to make it 4-1 at the break.

Oxenhope continued to dominate the play in the second period as Rothwell were reduced to chasing the ball.

On the hour the home side increased their advantage, Marshall weaved his way into the box, his shot was blocked but man of the match Reilly was on hand to put away his hat-trick.

On 70 minutes, Marshall was again instrumental in the build-up, as Danny Driver ran onto his through ball, wrong footed the defender and drilled the ball beyond the keeper for number six.

Oxenhope continued to pass the ball with pace and accuracy and Reilly almost bagged a fourth, the Rothwell keeper saving with his legs.

Oxenhope: Lee, Bailey (Jalil), Driver, Nelson, Scott D, White (Scott J), Quinlan, Moriarty, Reilly, Scott L, Marshall