Oxenhope 0 Leeds City 3

Oxenhope went into this game without eight of their regular first-team squad due to injuries, suspension and unavailability, including their usual strikeforce of Michael Garnett and Dan Moriarty.

So when the score was goalless at half-time against high-flying Leeds City, the scratch team were doing extremely well.

Oxenhope had the first sight on goal when Ollie Metcalfe played in Craig Morris but he blazed the ball over the bar.

However, Leeds gradually started to dominate and tested the Oxenhope defence but the home side threw men behind the ball and restricted the opposition to long- range shots.

The Worth Valley hosts always remained a threat on the break, however, with James Bailey and Kyle Hancock putting in crosses for the ever-willing Craig Morris to try and get on the end of. A free-kick from Bailey found Metcalfe in the box ,and his shot was saved at the foot of the post.

At half-time, Oxenhope manager Paul Brearey emphasised to his team the need to keep up the work rate, but ten minutes after the restart the opposition took the lead.

A break down the left and a cross to the far post was met with a firm header close in and, although keeper Sam Lee got a hand to it, he could not stop it going over the line.

This increased the visitors’ threat but the home side remained resolute and continued to be a danger on the break.

However, the pressure even-tually told and Leeds in-creased their advantage on 75 minutes.

Oxenhope’s cause was then not helped when keeper Lee limped off, and in the dying minutes another cross from the left and another header at the back stick led to Leeds’ third.

Hopefully most Oxenhope players will be back to full fitness this Saturday when the team entertain East End Park at Marley (2.30pm).