Wetherby Athletic made the long trip to Shelley FC on Saturday and enjoyed what surely are some of the best facilities in the West Yorkshire football league.

The pitch was in great condition and all the players were looking forward to a good match against one of the league title contenders from last season.

The away team were without Marvin Sorhaindo (away), Jonny Dockerty (work), Ryan Heptinstall (away) and a late drop out from talisman Josh Wilson with illness on Friday night.

Germayne Woodley and James Flynn both came in to start their first games of the season.

Wetherby started on the front foot and looked a threat going forward especially on the right flank and a couple of dangerous tackles could have resulted in cards for the home team but the referee decided he would set the tone and keep his cards in his pocket.

Much of the game was being played in Shelley's half with the home team having to play slightly longer balls for their front men, and it was against the run of play that Shelley took the lead on 30 minutes.

Athletic switching off at the back and gifting the ball to the Shelley player who made it 1-0.

To be fair to the away side though they carried on doing what they had done previously and were still creating chances and a mixture of missed chances and great goalkeeping kept Shelley ahead.

On 40 minutes however another counter attack and Shelley were 2-0 up once again (despite offside shouts) Wetherby lost concentration and the ball was headed home from a cross from the right hand side.

Half-Time: Shelley FC 2-0 Wetherby Athletic

The message at half time was to stay patient and the game was well and truly alive and the next goal would be vital, as it happened it took a while for Athletic to get going in the second half but on 75 minutes they dragged themselves back into the contest, the impressive Woodley going through one on one with the keeper who managed to palm the ball away, but only as far as Joe Whiteley who swept the ball into the top corner 2-1....game on!

From now on it was all Wetherby with the home team trying to waste as much time as possible, as we entered the final few moments the big chance came and it fell to Greg Harrison who could not have struck his shot better but it came back off the foot of the post.. football can be cruel and so it proved as Shelley went up the other end with Wetherby players committed forward they complete the scoring 3-1.

Wetherby can think themselves unlucky on the day however its proof once again if you don't take your chances you will be punished and so it proved, credit to Shelley on the day who were clinical in front of goal and took their chances when they came.

Encouraging signs for Wetherby though and alot to take out of this game and a long way to go in the season its doesn't get much easier though with a trip to Salts on Saturday!!

FINAL SCORE: Shelley FC 3-1 Wetherby Athletic

TEAM: Hooper 7, McEntee 7.5, Frost 7.5, Paxton 7.5, Harrison 7.5, Smith 7.5 (Pieri), BLEWITT 8.5, Whiteley 8, WOODLEY 8.5, Walsh 8, Flynn 7 (Ibrahim)

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