Trojans hit six of the best against Addingham

BURLEY Trojans' fortunes continued to improve with a comprehensive demolition of neighbours Addingham.

Their opponents, who had boasted impressive wins over Kirkby Malzeard and Harold Styans in their opening games, took the game to Trojans in the early stages. However it was four goal Chris Connolly who created the first real chance for Burley when he picked out Phil Constantine at the far post and his volley was well gathered by Dobson.

Addingham hit back with efforts from Carl Kernick and Jimmy Denman. Addingham, unsettled by being forced into a late kit change, were further disrupted when danger man Denman limped of with a serious leg injury after only 15 minutes.

Chris Lockwood had a good opportunity when he lost his marker but was unable to get a clean connection on Constantine's dangerous inswinging corner before Trojans took the lead somewhat against the run of play. Lloyd found Jonny Lofthouse whose header fell into the path of Connolly who lifted the ball over Dobson.

Lloyd proved his value at the other end when he cleared a Si Collins free-kick off his own line. Andy Vowles, on his return to the side, set up Connolly who saw his well struck shot deflected to safety. Trojans, who had not been convincing all half found themselves with a two goal cushion on the stroke of half-time.

Lloyd appeared to trip Tim Marriott and as the defender fell he inexplicably flicked the ball away with his hand leaving referee Stuart Taylor with no option but to point to the penalty spot.

Once the Addingham protests subsided Connolly sent Dobson the wrong way.

A half-time tongue lashing from normally mild mannered boss Chris Worts seemed to fire up Trojans and they came out with much more purpose after the break.

Centre-half Stuart Dibb spurned a great chance to extend the lead. Kieren Hanogue, who has settled back into the Trojans' defence following his return from the States, made an exceptional goalline clearance heading Michael Kernick's piledriver over his own bar. Sam Locke sent a snapshot narrowly wide as the visitors desperately sought a way back into the game.

Both Kernick brothers had decent attempts before Trojans put the game beyond Addingham's reach with a third goal when Connolly sprung the off-side trap to round Dobson and roll the ball into the empty net to complete his hat-trick.

Lockwood's mazy run took him into the visitors' area and Constantine's low cross ended with Lofthouse firing over. Then Connolly connected with Lockwood's well flighted free-kick to send in a volley which Dobson did well to gather.

Addingham did not throw in the towel and struck back within a couple of minutes when Locke was first to react to John Cummings' long throw to head over the stranded Hargreaves.

With 12 minutes remaining Connolly netted both his and Trojans' fourth following excellent work from substitute Tom McDermott. He sent in a corner from which Dave McKain's towering header was cleared off the line.

Trojans would have happily accepted the scoreline but Lloyd had other ideas, grabbing a brace inside the last five minutes. He latched on to McDermott's through ball to take the ball wide of Dobson before coolly steering home from an acute angle.

A minute later Lockwood and Connolly combined before the latter rolled the ball into the path of Lloyd who stroked home from 12 yards. This sealed the Man-of-the-Match award for the young midfielder who is improving with each game and has quickly established himself as a regular in the side.

Thirsk Falcons 1

Burley Trojans 1

Trojans followed up their midweek success over Addingham with another hard-earned point at high flying Thirsk Falcons. Once again Trojans were slow out of the blocks as they succumbed to a second minute goal before they had really had a kick.

Chris Hargreaves continued to be the busier 'keeper as the home side used the big sloping pitch to their advantage, creating chances at will. Hargreaves saved well from James Robson and when he parried Paul Plows' long range effort, Richard Lambert could only drive the rebound into the side netting.

It was fully 15 minutes before Trojans mounted an attack of note which resulted in Chris Lloyd seeing his deft lob tipped over by eccentric Hungarian 'keeper Alex Sopterean. Chris Lockwood started and finished a move with a curling effort that just floated past Sopterean's far post and the Trojans left-back was then involved at the other end making a last ditch challenge to deny Robson.

Trojans showed much more appetite for the game after the break and within 30 seconds right-back Ian McKain crossed for brother Dave to fire in a shot which cleared the bar. A combination of Hargreaves and his defenders cleared another Robson-inspired attack as the home side sought to extend their lead.

Striker Phil Constantine figured much more prominently in the second half and when he drew substitute Andy Wellens into a rash challenge, referee Neil Evans had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Man-of- the-Match Connolly levelled with the kick.

l On Saturday Trojans travel to Beckwithshaw, kick-off 3pm.