Otley Town Football Club

Here's Tristan collecting his Star Player Pie, after he scored the only goal in the semi-final win over Wetherby. Thanks once again to J B Wilkinson Quality Butchers for supporting not only the Vets this season, but for supplying the club for our functions and regular weekend butties 🍔🌭🥓👌

Victorious Vets - But Only Just!

Wetherby Vets 0-1 Otley Town Vets
Anyone order another Cup Final?

Otley travelled as slight favourites for their semi-final, based purely on league positions, but knew it wouldn't be easy and so it proved.

Town started well and were zipping the ball around, with the feeling of "when, not if" they'd score. It took until 20 mins with a nice finish from Tristan. Unfortunately that was the only real threat in the first half, despite getting the ball into good areas in the final third of the pitch.

Changes were made at half time, as Wetherby were coming back into the game, but they didn't make a difference as Otley were struggling to find their usual rhythm & cohesion. Town did have a few chances and were playing okay in parts, but it was the hosts who looked the more likely to score as the clock ticked down. Fortunately the rearguard action kept the scoreboard unchanged, and after 7 mins of additional time, the ref called a halt to proceedings and Otley were through. Not their greatest showing, but maybe it's better to get this one out of the way.

The final is this Sunday (17th) at County headquarters (Fleet Lane, Woodlesford) 1230 ko, where Otley will face Chapeltown Vets. They were Div Two champions and have won every game this season, also dispatching of Sherburn and Harrogate on the way to the final; it should be a cracking game!

https://app.360player.com/registration/mikephelancoaching/86fbde1e-e787-41e7-9670-d334055e41e3

Some of these boys started with us as 6 & 7yr olds, and finished their junior playing days on Sunday as U17s. Thanks for the memories 🖤⚽️🧡

(We're hoping to see you for open-age preseason training in a few months!)

Town Triumph in Tense Tussle
Otley Town Vets 3-1 Malt Shovel Vets

On a warm Sunday afternoon, Otley advanced to the semi-finals of the league cup, doing something they had previously failed to do; beat Malt Shovel. It was their fifth meeting in two years and had never been victorious, until now.

Missing a few regulars, Town didn't get off to the greatest start and were 0-1 down inside ten minutes, a bit of ball watching resulting in a fine (unmarked) volley at the back post. However, they slowly got back into the game and were rewarded on 22 mins, when Yatesy finished well, across the onrushing keeper. The visitors were starting to get frustrated with themselves and also the ref, which saw Otley grow stronger as the half went on, although a great save from Tim saw the score remain level.

It was 1-1 at the interval but Town felt the game was there for the taking and so it proved on 55 mins, when Howie beat the offside trap to waltz round the keeper and slot into an empty net. The lead was increased five minutes later when Yatesy submitted a contender for the Puskas award (world's best goal); tracking a cross from Howie, everyone thought it was unreachable but from 10-15yds out and going away from goal, he hit one of the sweetest left foot volleys you're likely to see, the ball whistling into the top corner past a motionless keeper. Unfortunately, such was the ferocity of the strike, that Alex had to leave the field of play with a pulled hamstring! By this point, their opponents were appealing for literally every decision but the ref continued to stand firm and even got his coloured cards out on a few occasions. Otley looked the more likely of the two teams to score in the last quarter, but it wasn't to be and when the full time whistle went, it was job well done for the men in orange. Every single player deserves a mention, but we won't bore you with that. (apart from stand in skipper Rob Wad who had 30 mins sleep overnight, after celebrating with York City the day before, and he was immense)

Next up is Wetherby away on Sun 10th May, where Town will hope to progress to their second league cup final. However, their hosts have had a great run to the semis and it should be a great game.

Not just champions, but BACK-to-BACK-to-BACK CHAMPIONS! A fantastic well done to our good friends and neighbours Old Otliensians RUFC 🏆🏉🏆🏉🏆🏉

The end of a brilliant week, so much support and congratulations for our 1st team last weekend

Our Reserve team continue tomorrow with the aim to finish the season strongly at home 2:30pm kick off

We also send all our support to our friends across the field at Old Otliensians RUFC who aim to secure title success tomorrow on home soil! 🏆

Sunday morning then sees our U12⚫️ (1100 ko) and Vets (1200 ko) both aiming to reach the semi finals of their respective cup competitions

Our last 1st team outing of the league season…

Midweek Gamedays are back and perfect weather for it too!

Less than 2 weeks away!

Time to get behind the lads for their final outing of the season looking to bring home the trophy 🏆