Shelley 3 Otley Town 0

SHELLEY FC have recently improved their West Yorkshire League Premier Division league position after signing quality players from Emley FC and Goole Town in an effort to ward off any threat of relegation.

Otley Town felt the full force of it on Saturday – when well beaten by a team they had easily overcome earlier in the season.

Otley started with a 4-4-2 formation and it soon became apparent they were being overrun in midfield where Shelley had the numbers and the new signings.

Despite the excellence of Town keeper Chris Brodie, it was just a matter of time before a goal would come as the home side spurned four good chances in the opening 20 minutes.

Ironically Brodie was part to blame for the opener as he, Joe Currie and Jamie Simms all left a harmless through pass for each other and Shelley’s Berry stole in to sidefoot home.

At this point manager Dave Morris altered the formation to 4-5-1 and immediately Town looked more comfortable albeit without making any clear-cut chances – but at least they had stemmed the tide at the other end.

Half-time came without further score and the view was Town had done well to make it without too much damage.

The first 15 minutes of the second half was the best period for Town as they played some delightful interchange football giving the home side plenty to think about, but again without making any clear cut chances.

Nevertheless, the last thing you need when you are just getting on top is a ‘worldy’ from your opponents. There looked to be no danger as Shelley’s Gino Dignan picked up the ball 35 yards out and at an angle.

His left foot howitzer would have beaten far better keepers than veteran Brodie. This was a hammer blow for Town and one from which they wouldn’t recover, Shelley applying the coup de grace five minutes from time.

Town are being dragged into a relegation fight and will need to start picking up points quickly.

This coming Saturday they travel to the Hunslet Club.