Otley Town 3 Whitkirk Wanderers 1

Whilst this wasn’t one of their best performances it was a gutsy effort by Otley Town and ultimately it earned them the right reward for an afternoon of endeavour against a feisty Whitkirk side.

Once again Town had to make last-minute team changes but they welcomed back regular keeper Gav Phillis from holiday and local favourite Ben Greenhow from a three-month sabbatical. Skipper Jamie Simms was working so the versatile Rob Carr took his place in the back four.

As with so many games this season, Town made a ponderous start and for the first 20 minutes were palpably second best against lively opponents. But for desperate defending and quality goalkeeping Whitkirk could easily have been a couple of goals to the good with their energetic forward line giving Town any number of problems.

Whitkirk finally made the breakthrough after 20 minutes with a fine move which saw them literally walk the ball into the Town net. At this stage things were not looking good for the home side but typically they responded to some frank words from the touchline.

Good as Whitkirk were going forward their defence was very shaky and slowly Si Armstrong, Greenhow and Dan Chadwick began to get a grip in midfield. Town got their equaliser when Greenhow played-in Scott Cater down the inside left channel and his powerful cross-cum-shot was diverted home by a Whitkirk defender. Half-time came with Town improving but still slightly lucky to be on level terms.

The second half belonged to Otley simply because as a unit they rolled up their sleeves and took the game to the opposition.

Whilst it was far from one way traffic Town began to monopolise possession and create chances.

After 65 minutes Josh Waite powering through the middle, hit the bar when it looked easier to score but made up for the miss when he guided home Scott Norton’s admirable cross. Next up was Scott Firth with a great run down the left and a fine drive which shaved the far post. Whitkirk were now sensing defeat and becoming ruggedly.

Their towering centre half, booked in the first half for persistent infringements, was too slow to catch Scott Cater on a fast break through the middle, and his desperate lunge culminated in a red card, a penalty to Town and a goal for Cater. Down to ten men Whitkirk were now out for the count which was a shame as three or four of their players had been outstanding but the indiscipline in their ranks was still evident even in the last minute when two of their players came to blows over who was going to take their free-kick on the edge of the Town box.

This win takes Town into mid table but they need to continue this run of form to ensure Premier Division safety.

Town’s next game is home to struggling Carlton on January 26.