Oxenhope 2

Leeds Modernians 3

OXENHOPE’S winning run came to an end at home to Leeds Modernians, going down in the West Yorkshire League Division One.

The home side’s normal defensive line-up was missing three players and early in the game there only remaining regular defender, Owen Williamson, picked up an injury.

The first half was end to end with both teams having chances. Dan Moriarty linking up with Tom Marshall, who saw his two attempts blocked on the line, while at the other end, Oxenhope keeper Ricky Driver produced a brave save.

On the half-hour the home side took the lead with a brilliant individual goal by Lee Reilly, turning two defenders before firing home from the tightest of angles.

This stirred the visitors as they upped the tempo for the remainder of the half and tested the Oxenhope defence.

More pressure after the break saw Leeds equalise as the home defence failed to clear their lines, only for Oxenhope to go straight down field from the re-start. From a sweet passing movement between Moriarty, Reilly and Marshall, the latter tucked the ball way to regain the lead.

Leeds continued to assert the pressure and on the hour an error in the Oxenhope defence and the Leeds striker’s shot found the net via the post.

A free-kick from distance produced a flying save from Driver to tip the ball over the bar as the pressure on the home goal continued.

Oxenhope were reduced to breakaways and their best chance was when Marshall crossed to Moriarty at the far post and he laid the ball into the path of James Bailey whose shot went just over.

A Leeds corner saw another smart reaction save from the in-form Driver, but eventually he was beaten on 80 minutes, when a through ball over the Oxenhope defence was put away.

The home side battled for the equaliser but Leeds were determined to hold on to the points.

This Saturday Oxenhope travel to promotion challengers Aberford (2.30pm).

Oxenhope: R Driver R, Bailey, Williamson (Finnigan), Drake, Nelson, White, Makinson, Moriarty, Reilly, D Driver, Marshall.

Hunslet Reserves 3

Oxenhope Reserves 0

OXENHOPE’S young second string put up a brave fight at Hunslet in the West Yorkshire League Alliance Division One, trailing by just a single goal.

But two strikes in the final five minutes put an unfair bias on the result. This Saturday they entertain title challenging Leeds City Reserves (2.30pm).