Otley Town 3 Pool 2

OTLEY Town saw off local rivals Pool in a tight Wharfedale & District FA Challenge Cup first round contest at the Old Showfield.

Despite being below par in the opening period, Otley drew first blood when a long throw into the penalty box was unwittingly deflected into his own net by a Pool defender James Carroll.

However, parity was quickly restored when poor Town defending allowed Pool’s striker Tom Flemming to wriggle free and drive a shot beyond goalkeeper Chris Brodie.

The second half began with Town in the ascendancy, and in particular the introduction of substitute Scott Firth added a vitality to their attacking play that had been missing previously.

Yet it was from a good old fashioned set-piece that Otley took the lead again. A beautifully delivered Dan Chadwick corner getting the finish it deserved from Scott Cater’s powerful header.

Town extended their lead when leading scorer Toby Harris broke free to score for Town despite the best efforts of the Pool keeper to prevent the ball crossing the line.

With only ten minutes remaining, Otley looked home and hosed. Pool had other ideas and nerves were sent jangling when Pool sliced through the Town rearguard to score through Matthew White, but Otley, with the introduction of two more substitutes, managed to hold out and secure a place in the next round as well as local bragging rights.

Town are back in league action with a trip to Wyke Wanderers on Saturday (2.30).