Bardsey 1 Otley Town 2

Cup specialists Otley became the first side to beat Premier Division leaders Bardsey since february 2009 as they knocked them out of the League Cup.

The hard-earned success now sets them up for a home third round tie this Saturday against Ilkley Town - the side they will meet in next moth’s Wharfedale FA Challenge Cup final.

Like Bardsey, Otley could point to the fact that they also were in good form having lost only once since September and they started the brighter of the two sides.

Playing attractive passing football they had the better of the exchanges and Bardsey were restricted to long-distance shooting which failed to trouble Gavin Phillis.

Only from a couple of corners did the home side pose any kind of threat but even this was capably handled through resolute keeping and defending.

Town were far more dangerous in attack and when Chris Dowson made a tremendous burst down the left he was cynically baulked by his opposite number which surprisingly only brought a free kick for Town. This crude last-ditch challenge was the sign that Bardsey were in some trouble and Otley recognising that they had the upper hand deservedly took the lead after 25 minutes.

Tenacious play in midfield by Sam Dexter and Luke Danskin allowed Chris Davey to make a run down the right and his early cross was hooked home by Scott Cater to the delight of the travelling contingent from Otley.

Not content with the one goal lead Town continued to attack and made it two after 35 minutes.

This goal was somewhat fortunate but still taken as coolly as you like by Luke Danskin.

A Tom Chadwick corner from the right which should have been cleared was somehow missed by Bardsey’s two giant defenders and there at the back post was the mercurial Danskin to head home.

Town would have been happy to go in at 2-0 but in fact they should have had a third when with the best and last move of the half saw the unmarked Dowson hit his first time shot over from eight yards.

Otley knew that Bardsey would hit them hard after the break and so it proved.

For the second half Town's defenders were now facing straight into a bright low sun making it almost impossible to deal with the high ball.

Bardsey knew this and proceeded to send bombs into the Otley penalty area at every opportunity.

The Town rearguard repelled everything and just as it looked like they had withstood the siege and come through the difficult period, Bardsey scored. The goal when it came for them was without creativity – just a speculative punt into the box landed behind Otley’s defensive line and Rob Dickinson ghosted in to score with a powerful header.

The rest of the second half was a case of Bardsey huffing and puffing but finding no way past a magnificent defence.

Right back Dan Chadwick, in his first full season, was superb. As the game moved into the final quarter the home side were becoming increasingly frustrated as time and again Chris Davy and Scott Cater caught them on the break.

Town ran down the clock to complete a performance of great character. Now they face the challenge of local rivals Ilkley on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm.