Addingham find a week is a long time in football

A week is, as the cliche says, a long time in football, and from Addingham's perspective this, their first week as a Premier Division side, has been a very long and eventful week.

Last Saturday on the opening weekend they hammered six goals past Harold Stayns and the prospects for the season took on a very rosy glow. Then on Thursday night they came down to earth with something of a thump.

Playing a highly experienced Otley Town Reserve side, Addingham were the better team for an hour, despite conceding a first-half goal.

Playing some good controlled football they took the game to Town only to fall apart in a 20 minute period where Otley showed them how to finish and hit five goals to win 6-0. A somewhat harsh scoreline but one which teaches Addingham that at this level you cannot afford any lapses or quality sides will punish you.

Then to last Saturday where Addingham faced another experienced Premier Division side in Kirby Malzeard.With Micheal Kernick absent Addingham were glad to have new signings Martin Galasso and Rick Hutchinson available.

Kirby have a record and reputation of being a very physical and robust side, attributes Addingham are renowned to possess themselves. This added a strong aggressive edge to the match which both sides relished without ever going over the top, well marshaled by the excellent referee this made for an absorbing contest that Addingham deservedly won thanks in the main to some stunning attacking football coupled with a very strong, competent defensive display.

The tight, compactness of Addingham's pitch makes quick passing football a must and from the start Addingham held the advantage, Perkins wide right delivering some telling crosses that Locke and Denman thrived on. With 15 minutes gone Carl Kernick was fouled just inside his own half, Jon Cummings drilled the ball long straight down the middle, the Kirby 'keeper misjudged the flight and the ball nestled in the empty net.

A fluky but deserved lead gave Addingham renewed enthusiasm and they pegged the visitors back with some sustained pressure. Denman twice had the ball in the net only to be adjudged off-side on both occasions.

With the half drawing to a close Addingham doubled their lead, Ross Kennedey clipped the ball to Denman, who flicked the header into the path of Locke. With the defenders turning Locke bided his time, waited for the ball to settle and drilled his shot past the helpless 'keeper.

After the break Kirby came out all guns blazing and dominated the play. Andy Dobson in the Addingham goal was awesome as he made four stunning saves to preserve his side's lead. Tim Marriot, Richard Mills and the brilliant Ross Kennedey showed the mauling by Otley was merely a blip as they defended superbly to keep Kirby out.

As Kirby's challenge began to falter Addingham seized the initiative and Denman sprang the off-side trapand finished well, as Addingham celebrated the referee had a change of heart and ruled for off-side with a very late call.

Undeterred Addingham pressed forward and made it 3-0 on 65 minutes. A Kernick corner was punched clear by the 'keeper under pressure from Si Collins and the ball fell invitingly for Sam Locke who still had a lot to do. He showed his class with a clean strike through the crowded six yard box.

Kirby could sense defeat and some of their tackles bordered on the reckless. Addingham kept their discipline and replied with interest as the referee became a busy man. A poor official may well have been brandishing cards but the official on the day showed his class with a very composed display.

Into the last ten minutes Addingham showed a slight naivety with the game won they should have shut up shop but such is their style they continued to push forward and allowed Kirby to break away and add a consolation goal that Dobson and his defenders had not deserved

Match point for Addingham went to Ross Kennedey who had his best game to date for Addingham not putting a foot wrong, although Andy Dobson ran him close with an outstanding display in goal.

Tonight Thursday Addingham are away to Burley Trojans, and on Saturday they are at home to Northallerton Town.