Boroughbridge Afc 1 Otley Town 3

Otley Town picked up three valuable West Yorkshire League Premier Division away points at Boroughbridge which put them in a comfortable mid-table position in the Premiership, a full 18 points ahead of the relegation places.

Although Boroughbridge are languishing in the bottom three, on their day they can still be a decent side and Otley with ten first teamers unavailable for one reason or another were expecting a hard game. As it turned out they had nothing to worry about so low was the confidence of the home players – perhaps a reflection of the 6-0 drubbing the week previous.

Town to their credit started very well and notice was served on the home team’s rearguard as early as the fifth minute, when Scott Firth smashed a shot against the crossbar. In the first half of this game there was to be no let up to the attacking instincts of Otley and leading scorer, Toby Harris, fresh off an overnight flight from Dubai, helped himself to a splendid hat-trick before half an hour had gone.

All were really well taken goals and the reflection of a striker brimming in confidence. It was however just as well his goals came in the first period as the big striker succumbed to sickness and jet lag straight after the break.

Harris’ first goal was one made of anticipation as he stole in to beat the home keeper to a tempting cross from left back Farrell Hunt. His second was the result of a powerful foray down the right and a lovely chip over the advancing keeper. And with the third he beat the offside trap and outwitted the keeper in a one on one with a low left foot shot.

Unfortunately and somewhat understandably with such a changed side, Town could not maintain the momentum and the home side came more into the picture flashing a couple of long range efforts past the post as the Town midfield failed to close down. Not heeding this warning another pile driver from a good 30 yards by Stephen Coles flew past the unprotected and consequently enraged Chris Brodie.

There was to be no more action in the first half and for that matter little of any consequence in the second as Otley’s game management, organised admirably by the experienced players Currie, Cater and Evison saw the game out and the points secured.

The headlines will be for Harris but similar plaudits should go to captain Joe Currie who was equally outstanding.

This coming Saturday there is a big game at the Old Showfield with Premier League leaders Field FC visiting for the League Cup quarter final tie. Kick off at the normal time of 2.30