ON a wild and windy day at The Old Showground, Otley Town and Oxenhope Recreation provided an entertaining game for the brave souls that showed up, on this the filthiest afternoon of the season.

Through grit, determination and a never-say-die attitude Town won this West Yorkshire League Division One clash 2-1, but they were made to fight right to the end by a much-improved Oxenhope side.

In the first half, it was obvious to see why Oxenhope had risen up the table of late, their attractive attacking style of play using advanced wing backs giving Town much to think about.

During this period, keeper Wayne Mahomet kept Otley in the game with two excellent saves, but he was then let down by slack marking when a set piece from the left found Oxenhope defender Dan Scott unattended at the back post and he scored with a free header.

There was disappointment but no panic in the Otley camp as at the other end they were also creating chances.

Harry Hawkins fashioned a great chance for himself but was unlucky to see his rasping drive hit the post and roll along the goal line.

Callan Parker-Wells’ free kick brought a terrific save out of the Oxenhope stopper and then with the best chance of the half, Jack Richmond shot wide when it looked easier to score.

The attacking intent from both sides appeared to ebb away a little in the second half as the wind and rain got heavier.

Then things got worse for Otley.

Jack Richmond, trying his best to inspire his team-mates, got into a tangle with an opponent - both players finishing up in the mud.

The referee, close to the action, must have seen a misdemeanour from Richmond, as after a long lecture, she brandished a red card.

A goal down and a man down, Otley were now seriously up against it, especially in such trying conditions.

Maybe it was the excellent double save by Mahomet from a close-range header that inspired the home side, for they rolled their sleeves up and got into Oxenhope.

Andy Howland and Joe Flaherty were introduced from the bench and, with fresh legs, made an immediate impact; though neither were involved in Town's equaliser.

This was all down to Mark McGee, who’d been toiling away all afternoon without much to show for it.

McGee, probably fed up with trying to walk the ball in, decided to hit a shot from the edge of the box and with the aid of the wind, it beat the flailing keeper at his near post.

This equaliser lifted the Otley work rate to new levels and the wily Howland was having fun, causing all sorts of upset in the visitors' defence.

Twice he almost got Hawkins in the clear with clever control and passing vision.

Otley kept pounding away and eventually got their just reward when, of all people, Pete Long scored from close range after excellent build up play by Ben Driffield and McGee.

Otley then saw out the remaining 10 minutes or so without alarm, as the experience of Howland and McGee ran down the clock.

In a good team performance, special mention must go to Mahomet for his excellence in goal, the ever-present Long for a great shift in midfield and Mitch Lambert-Tuthill for a sparkling performance at the back.

However, for his near-perfect quality on the ball, leadership skills and general inspiration to others, the man-of-the-match award went to Jonathan Jackson.

This weekend, Town travel to Sherburn White Rose, their reserves host Hunslet Club, looking to make it three wins in a row, and the thirds entertain Cowling, looking to move further away from the bottom end of the table.

BY BEN FEATHERSTONE