Harrogate LEAGUE ROUND UP

Trojans Reserves 5, Pool Reserves 5

These two local rivals played their full part in a pulsating mid-week fixture where defences most definitely came off second best.

Proof that football is a funny old game came in the shape of Trojans, having fallen behind to an early goal, hitting back to lead 3-1, before conceding four goals to trail 5-3, but staging a rousing comeback to level near the end.

Despite the early setback Tim Fendyke levelled before goals from Phil Constantine and an own goal when Constantine's free-kick was deflected in gave them a comfortable lead.

A series of defensive lapses saw Pool turn the game on it's head before Craig Renton reduced the arrears for the home side. Salvation for Trojans came in the form of a Stuart Dibb header from Constantine's inswinging corner to send the crowd home thoroughly entertained and leave both sides with some defensive headaches to solve.

Wellington 1,Trojans Reserves 2

Trojans Reserves forced their first league win of the season with a gutsy performance against the unpredictable Wellington.

The day started badly for Trojans with them travelling to Darley only to discover that their opponents now play on The Stray in Harrogate.

To add insult to injury when the game finally kicked-off late the visitors might have wished they were elsewhere as they conceded a first minute goal. New 'keeper Shane Mitchell, having impressed in pre-season, made his second blunder of the week when he palmed a harmless looking ball into his own net. In fairness the strong sun did not help.

Player manager Gary Shankland helped his side to get a grip on the game when he equalised on 20 minutes.

Man-of-the-Match Jonny Clarkson's dangerous cross was missed by the home defender and Shankland teed the ball up before lashing a right foot volley past the helpless John Bell.

With the visitors on a roll influential midfielder James Hoskin gave his side the lead with a neat header. Trojans could have extended their lead but Gareth Goodison was off target with a couple of attempts. Shankland was also guilty of a glaring miss when Bell spilled the ball on his own line but he was unable to react quickly enough to turn the loose ball home.

l Trojans Reserves visit neighbours Pool Reserves tonight (Thursday) with a 6.15pm kick-off. This fixture has been brought forward from Saturday which leaves Trojans Reserves without a game at the weekend.

Bedale 1, Ilkley Reserves 3

Following last weeks 3-0 victory over Kirk Deighton Guyson sponsored Ilkley Reserves were forced into making nine changes in personnel due to unavailability and first team call ups.

However, it is testament to the coaching staff and players that anyone coming into the side knows what is required and with three players making their debuts for the club it was business as usual.

The game started with a high tempo and Ilkley pegged back the home side from the off with full-back Stewart's overlaps causing panic in the Bedale defence and it was one of his fine runs and crosses which provided Gardiner with his first goal for the club on the five minute mark placing a simple header past goalkeeper Cooper.

This pressure was maintained for most of the remainder of the half and Ilkley should have gone into half-time with a comfortable lead as chances for Smith, Keith, Merritt and Gardiner went sadly begging.

Bedale came out after the interval all guns blazing and equalised on the 47th minute when a fine run and shot by Dawson was well saved by Tankard but not cleared by the Ilkley defence and Coombs drove into the empty net.

This gave the home side encouragement and the dangerous pair of Dawson and Garbutt spurned a number of chances for Bedale to take what would have been a deserved lead, however the defence of Stewart, Beaumont, Taylor and Taylor held firm with aid of the tough tackling Keith who must have covered every blade of grass.

With the midfield tiring the introduction of Rishworth with 30 minutes left on the clock proved inspirational to the team and gradually the play swung back Ilkley's way with Gardiner, Smith and Keith all springing the home defensive trap but failing to convert the chances.

The deadlock was broken in the 74th minute when Smith scored direct from a free-kick after Rishworth had been fouled some 25 yards from goal. Goalkeeper Cooper never moved such was the quality of the strike. Three minutes later Ilkley went further ahead when Keith latched onto a through ball from Smith and drilled the ball past Cooper. The pressure was maintained until the final whistle and the superior fitness of the Ilkley players told with further chances being created by the fine running of Stewart, Keith and Gardiner.

In the circumstances another satisfactory result with pleasing debuts for Gardiner, Turkington and Lindley.

On Saturday the Reserves are once again on their travels at Dalton, players meet at the Swimming Pool at 12.45pm

Addingham 3, Northallerton Town 3

Addingham were glad to get back to a Saturday kick-off after another bemusing and heavy defeat, this time at the hands of Burley Trojans. The Thursday night games have been disastrous for Addingham and last Thursday was no different.

Playing a highly experienced side in Trojans , Addingham showed little fear and to Burley's own admission the visitors outplayed them for the majority of the game only to be beaten by their own naivety.

Addingham played the majority of the match camped in the Burley half but they were unable to break down the league's meanest defence or get past the excellent Hargreaves in the Burley goal.

Using all their experience Trojans soaked up the pressure and they hit Addingham on the counter attack to run away with a very flattering 6-1 scoreline.

Going into Saturday's game Addingham were adamant that defending better was a priority. The ability to defend well was not helped by a referee whose decisions left players and spectators totally bemused all afternoon.

After only five minutes with Addingham playing well the referee let two Northallerton players run through off-side, and this was not a tight decision both players were three yards advanced.

Still Addingham recovered only to instantly concede a penalty they could have little complaint about. Dobson got a hand to Cameron's kick but was unable to keep it out.

Undeterred Addingham began to dominate and levelled when a 40 yard free-kick was blasted goalward by Jon Cummings. Despite the inaccuracy of the strike Sam Locke diverted its flight with a lovely left foot volley that restored parity. Once level Addingham were all over Town and soon took the lead. Carl Kernick followed up an excellent display against Burley with another solid performance, his left wing cross was flicked on by Locke and Si Collins stole in unmarked to head home.

After the break Northallerton came out fighting and they took the game to Addingham making for a cracking incident packed end-to-end contest. Even the referee got in on the act as he seemed to be more responsive to the openness of the game, choosing to let the play flow when ever possible.

Town's renewed enthusiasm was causing Addingham problems, Cameron and Pepper in particular the main threat. Addingham's cause was further hampered by injuries to key players. With Steve Perkins and Jimmy Denman out for up to three months the last thing they needed was skipper Jon Cummings limping off soon to be followed by Carl Kenick.

The inexperience and lack of fitness of the Addingham substitutes meant the initiative was firmly with Town and when the long ball fell to Stokes he seized the chance and levelled.

Mick Kernick, Marriot and Graves raised their game to give Addingham a foot hold in a game they appeared to be losing. With 20 minutes to go their efforts were rewarded. Young David Tod, playing his first game for the first team, cut inside and was tripped in the box. Si Collins expertly converted the penalty to give Addingham a lead which was short lived as Town scored again. Dobson made a stunning save and then Addingham hit the bar with a Kennedey header. In the dying seconds Locke drilled a free-kick into the crowded box. It deflected against the post before the referee blew for time to end what was a fair and thoroughly absorbing match.

Addingham remain undefeated at home as they now look to improve their away form starting this week at Boroughbridge.