Oxenhope 5 Wetherby 2

OXENHOPE continued their improved run of form with a 5-2 win over Wetherby to lift them out of the relegation zone in West Yorkshire League Division One.

The hosts started the brighter and took the lead on five minutes when McCauley Smith and Lee Reilly set up Tom Marshall, whose initial strike was blocked but he made no mistake with his follow-up.

Ten minutes later the visitors were awarded a penalty when defender Luke Scott was adjudged to have fouled the Wetherby wide player in the box. The spot-kick being fired into the roof of the net.

Then, against the balance of play, the visitors grabbed the lead with a speculative looping strike from distance, wide out on the right found the far top corner.

Oxenhope continued to press forwards, a Smith corner was headed over by Dan Scott and a Scott Nelson cross was headed just wide by Marshall.

On 25 minutes Oxenhope gained the equaliser their pressure deserved, a flowing passing movement involving Nelson, Marshall and skipper Joe Jalil was finished confidently by Smith.

The home side continued to force the pace Dan Scott saw another powerful header skim the top of the crossbar and then, on 40 minutes, Oxenhope regained the lead an accurate cross from the left by Reilly was met at the near post by Nelson to flick the ball home.

The home side continued in the second half where they had left off with man of the match Danny Makinson dominant in midfield.

Oxenhope launched attack after attack on the Wetherby goal but chances were not converted and the visitors were always dangerous on the break.

The home side had keeper Steve Davies to thank when he came swiftly off his line and made a brave save at the feet of the Wetherby striker just as he was about to pull the trigger.

The hosts were camped in the visitors' half and eventually they gained the reward their efforts deserved, Nelson received the ball close in, he hooked it across the face of goal and Marshall was there at the far post to head home.

The two-goal cushion relieved the anxiety and the home side started to pass the ball with confidence and, 10 minutes from time, substitute Danny Driver and Nelson linked up for Reilly to slot the ball past the keeper.

Oxenhope will need to continue this up turn in form when they travel to Premier Division frontrunners Whitkirk on Saturday in the second round of the League Cup (ko 2.30pm).

Oxenhope: Davies, Bailey, Scott L, Scott D, Bentham, Makinson, Jalil, Smith (Driver), Reilly, Nelson, Marshall.