Trojans' long wait continues as they lose again

Kirkby Malzeard, traditionally strong in this league, have struggled this season and this looked to be a good chance for Burley to arrest their slide.

The home side probably shaded the first-half, having the greater share of possession, but failing to make the breakthrough. Richard Scott in goal made two or three top class saves on the occasions the rearguard was pierced, although generally the back four of Stuart Dibb, Matthew Steer, Stuart George and Craig Renton stood up well to the challenge.

Burley did enjoy sporadic spells of the ball but failed to trouble the home keeper significantly, their best effort being when neat inter-play down the right hand side between George, Nick Beanland and Jonathan Lofthouse ended with youngster Simon Johnston volleying George's cross just wide of the near post. It was Johnston, in his second first team appearance on the left wing, who carried the greatest threat for the away side, as he constantly looked to go past his man at pace.

The second-half opened more promisingly for the Trojans as they forced a number of corners to pen the home side back in their own half. Again, as in many previous games this term, they could not convert possession into goals and this proved their undoing.

On the hour mark Kirkby took the lead when a breakaway attack left Scott isolated in goal, and the keeper's misery was added to ten minutes later when he rushed from his area to meet Dibb's headed back pass but was dispossessed, leaving the home forward with an empty goal to roll the ball into.

On 78 minutes the Trojans' fate was sealed when a free-kick from the edge of the area was guided into the far corner of the net to put Kirkby 3-0 ahead.

Burley's misery was compounded in the dying minutes when Phil Metcalfe was dismissed for foul and abusive language, and his forthcoming suspension, along with an injury suffered by skipper Jonathan Keith, leaves the side looking short for the rest of January.

Having started the season so promisingly, Trojans are now in danger of being sucked into a relegation battle and manager Richard Wood will need to coax the best he can from increasingly sparse resources.

Match Point went to Stuart George, one of the few players to turn in consistently good performances so far this season.

Ripon 0 Pool AFC 2

After the New Year celebrations Pool continued where they left off in 2006 with a fantastic win against Ripon.

The pitch was in immaculate condition and both teams were fired up and eager to start. After some unpleasant scenes in the opening minutes involving Ripon's number 10 and Pool skipper Andy Graham both teams settled down displaying some wonderful football.

Ripon were definitely the better team in the first-half with their pacey number 11 smashing the crossbar and hitting the post twice but Pool's defence remained defiant and kept their heads. The game was played at a high tempo, very physical but very fair.

On the stroke of half-time against the run of play Paul Newsome put Pool netting with a 30 yard well-taken free-kick. Pool were jubilant but deep down knew they were second best.

The whistle blew before Ripon even re-started and Manager Martin Dennison had a lot to say in the changing rooms before returning to the field for the second-half.

The second-half saw a role reversal in team performances with Pool dominating play. The chat at half-time worked wonders and Pool's midfield of Chris Tweedie, Toby Rake, Shaun Joyce, Paul Newsome and Tristan Houldsworth worked their socks off and started to frustrate Ripon.

The back three of Rob Graham, Andy Graham and Chris Thompson were as solid as a rock, making several well-timed important tackles. Pool keeper Ed Neale had a very good 90 minutes including an excellent one-on-one save mid-way through the second-half.

With legs tiring Pool decided to rest Chris Graham from his hard work up front and pushed Shaun Joyce up to partner the ever running Dean Wagstaff. Alan Clarke graced the field, slotting in the middle of the midfield allowing Newsome to just sit in front of the back three.

Clarke's typical cool calm presence helped Pool to extend their lead, pushing a lovely ball out to the left for Chris Thompson to run on to and run at the exposed Ripon defence. After a quick look up he spotted Joyce on his own just outside the box and struck the ball, arrow like, straight to Joyce's feet. He cushioned his first touch before striking the ball into the top corner to secure the three points for Pool.

Both of the other subs were required due to tired legs because of the work rate that the players had put in. Kevin Dennison swapped places with Houldsworth and then moved up front when Scott Dunning came on for Joyce for the last few minutes.

A great game to watch and Ripon were gracious in defeat after the final whistle. With Kippax losing to Tadcaster Magnet Sports, Pool extended their lead at the top of Division One of the West Yorkshire League to seven points. Chris Thompson and Andy Graham shared Man-of-the-Match but credit must go to the whole team for a great second half performance.

Pool A 1 Hampsthwaite 4

CAPTAIN for the day Dave Dempsey decided to play into the strong wind first and he and defensive colleagues Cratchley, Chantler and Kelly (making a welcome return) had to defend stoutly in the opening minutes.

However, after 15 minutes Pool conceded the first goal due to slack marking. This became two when Martin Budden was unsighted in goal and a shot crept in at the near post.

Pool found it hard to get out of their half but gradually the midfield of Cowgill, Newbould, Wilson and Beck started to gain possession and the forwards Nixon and Steval began to have some of the ball. Nixon had a snap shot which went close and Steval worked hard to hold the ball up.

Just on half-time the visitors made it 3-0 with an unstoppable first time volley from the edge of the area.

Pool came out fighting in the second-half with the wind at their backs. Steval was injured and Budden went up front with Dan Cowgill going in goal.

Immediately this made a difference. Budden held the ball up intelligently and was unlucky when his near post header hit the upright.

Nixon burst through and also hit the post and it could have been 3-2. Kelly drove forward to feed Nixon with a neat pass and Nixon coolly beat the keeper to make it 3-1.

Budden and Nixon continued to cause problems for the visitors but could not find the net. Pool conceded a fourth goal near the end to seal the game. Match point was shared by Nixon and Martin Budden.