Otley Town 0 Horbury Town 5

For most of the game, Otley Town were at least a match for their high-flying opponents, but the final scoreline – when taken in isolation – makes it look like the home side were on the wrong end of a complete hiding.

As is so often the case, Otley didn’t turn up for the first 15 minutes and so left themselves with another mountain to climb.

Three goals were fired in without reply, to leave pride the only realistic thing that could be salvaged. To their credit, Town didn’t cave in and fought valiantly for the rest of the match.

Midfielder James Evison and striker Scott Cater deserve particular praise for their never-say-die attitude, which was an example to their team-mates.

If Town could have scored the first goal of the second half, an unlikely comeback might have resulted, but it was not to be.

The best chance fell to Cater but he lifted his effort over the bar and so failed to register the goal his all-round performance merited.

When Horbury added a fourth – despite a suspicion of offside – the game really was up, and a late fifth from an extremely harsh penalty merely rubbed salt into the wounds.

With key players to come back into the team, Town will hope for a change of fortune when they entertain Thornhill in the League Cup on Saturday.

Due to the possibility of extra-time, the kick-off is at 2pm.