Pool Reserves 1, Addingham 2

Addingham made it to the semi- final of the league Medal Competition for the second year running with this scrappy, poor unconvincing win against Division Two strugglers Pool Resreves.

On a fine summers like day Addingham produced what can only be described as their most abject display for possibly the last four years. Had Pool been in better form then they could quite easily have taken the scalp of the Division One promotion chasers.

As it was Addingham stumbled through with Andy Dobson not having a second-half shot to save as Pool's fight petered out.

The recent dry spell left the surface firm and bobbly to say the least and made passing football all but impossible.

Both sides seemed intent on by-passing midfield as they hit long ball after long ball, Addingham's greater quality was evident even on this poor showing and it was no surprise when they took the lead.

A stunning through ball from Jon Cummings was chested away from the defender by Locke. He latched onto his own clever control and smashed the ball past Allinson in the Pool goal.

Denman, Galasso and Collins all had half chances to add to Addingham's lead but as half-time approached Pool levelled witha well taken goal.

Addingham's lethargy was all too apparent if unexplainable. In the second-half they raised their efforts but created little in the way of chances.

Steve Perkins back in the side after a thigh strain was Addingham's main threat along with Ricky Chlebo.

Pool offered no real threat in an attacking sense their rare sorties forward invariably ending with a wild strike wide or more likely an off-side as they ran too soon in their eagerness.

The one moment of class came from Locke and Denman. Good work by Mills saw him feed Locke, he burst to the by line and teased his cross to the far post where Denman arrived right on cue to head home.

This made it eight goals in his first four games for Denman in an Addingham shirt.

Into the latter stages Pool threw bodies forward but to little or no avail as Addingham ran out deserved if unconvincing winners.

This Saturday Addingham are in the first of two cup semi-finals. They visit Division One champions Thirsk.

The date also marks the end of one chapter in Addingham's history and the start of a new one.

Following four successful years under the excellent sponsorship and help of Dick Barrow and his staff at the Swan Addingham now have brokered a new and very lucrative deal with the Crown Inn.

All at Addingham would like to thank Dick and Julia for all their efforts and wish them well.

Players meet this week in the Crown at noon.