Addingham 4, Dalton 3

Addingham's final game of a dramatic season was one that pretty much summed up their entire campaign. With three games left they knew they had to win all three to overhaul Harlow Hill who had finished their season.

Emphatic wins over Otley Town Reserves and Hampsthwaite put Addingham in to the box seat but they still had to overcome Dalton on the final day. The whole season though was only four minutes away from a most traumatic outcome possible.

Addingham had turned in a performance which mirrored their up and down displays this term, for 40 minutes they outplayed Dalton hitting three goals and never giving the visitors a shot on target.

Then they had a ten minute spell either side of half-time where they totally fell apart only to rescue the entire season with four minutes to go.

With the strongest squad available Addingham were in confident mood and when John Cummings speculative shot from 20 yards trickled under the 'keeper the signs looked good.

Sam Locke doubled the lead with another superb goal. His first season with Addingham has seen him hit some wonderful goals and his overall play up front has been exceptional. Locke picked up the loose ball 18 yards out and left the 'keeper helpless with a blistering strike.

Minutes later Locke broke through the Dalton off-side , drew the 'keeper and with the outside of his right foot curled the ball into the bottom corner. With a seemingly unassailable lead Addingham thoughts must have turned to ones of celebration.

Dalton were hardly in the game and appeared uninterested in making the match a contest. Whatever the reason the fact remains that Addingham very nearly blew a season's hard work with a disastrous ten minute spell.

Firstly 'keeper Dobson failed to clear a back pass, got caught in possession and ended up felling the Dalton striker. Luckily the referee only showed a yellow card, the resulting penalty punishment enough.

Tim Marriot one of Addingham's best players this season made a real hash of a back pass. The ball was chipped over Dobson and hit the cross bar as Mills and Dobson tried to clear. The Dalton skipper arrived on cue to smash home. Things soon went from bad to worse, a Dalton free-kick was clipped forward and Melton headed home completely unchallenged.

Addingham had thrown away a three goal lead, and to compound the misery the Dalton 'keeper was now playing like a man possessed. He made five or six unbelievable saves.

With the threat of failure now hanging over them Addingham began to get ragged, passes were rushed and harried as the tension became unbearable.

As the clocked ticked down things were at a desperate stage. Addingham's resolve though was soon to shine through. Locke crossed to the far post where Jimmy Denman escaped his marker and at full stretch managed to hook the ball into the empty net. The scenes of celebration were more scenes of relief but the joy was hard to hide.

Addingham have made it to the Harrogate League's top table winning promotion in two consecutive seasons.

l On Saturday Addingham play their end of season friendly against the reserves followed by the end of season awards in the Crown Inn that night. All players meet at the pitch at 2pm.