End of the cup road for Otley Town (From Wharfedale Observer)

End of the cup road for Otley Town

10:53am Thursday 10th January 2013 in Sport

Otley Town 2 Rothwell 3

Prior to this game both teams had been out of action for three weeks but it was Rothwell who were competitive from the kick off whereas the Otley players looked slow and lethargic.

Rothwell dominated possession for the opening half hour as Town laboured to match-up the visitors five man midfield and they got their reward after 30 minutes when a driven free kick was diverted in by a Rothwell forward.

Despite their domination the visitors made only half chances and home keeper Graham Fawell was comfortable in saving several long-distance attempts.

Having weathered the storm Town came into the game and on several occasions before the interval got behind the Rothwell defence who were holding a high line.

From one such attack Town equalised when Josh Waite fired home after admirable foraging by top scorer Scott Cater.

Manager Dave Holmes made it plain to the Otley players that they needed to step up their game in the second half and this they did with great effect.

Town’s play was in direct contrast to that of the first half with superb passing from front to back leading to at least ten clear cut chances in the second period. Alas not one of them was converted.

Rothwell’s keeper was, man of the match by a distance, but on too many occasions the Otley strike trio of Waite, Cater and Scott Norton delayed their shot allowing the keeper to narrow the angle and set himself.

It really was one way traffic in the second half but Rothwell somehow managed to hold on.

Going into extra-time Town continued to monopolise possession and created yet more clear chances, but the longer it went on without a goal for the home team so did the likelihood of the visitors nicking a goal at the other end.

And so it came when on a fast break the Rothwell centre forward broke from the halfway line and scored after out pacing the Town cover defence.

Into the second period of extra time and Town now had to push on in search of the equaliser. Inevitably they were caught on the break again and at this point the game was up.

A goal by Scott Cater four minutes from time gave hope but it was to be too little too late.

Town will look to get back to winning ways when they entertain strugglers Whitkirk Wanderers, kick off 2pm.