Tockwith 1
Burley Trojans 2
Gritty Trojans showed their resolve as they recovered from their shaky start to the season by picking up six points in four days to boost their confidence.
On Saturday they overcame bogey side Tockwith with a resilient display despite once again being without 'keeper Chris Hargreaves. The immaculate playing surface at Tockwith is made for passing football and Trojans had the better of the first- half as they took the game to their hosts.
Nick Quaife was prominent in many of Trojans' best moments heading just over and then latching on to Chris Connolly's through ball before lobbing too high as 'keeper Steve Pearson advanced. At the other end Stuart Longbottom shot harmlessly wide from a good position and striker Mark Bleanch forced stand-in 'keeper Tim Fendyke into a smart save.
Just before the break Lofthouse popped up to give Trojans the lead when he latched onto a poor clearance from Dave McKain's cross to lash the ball beyond Pearson's despairing dive and in off the upright.
McKain was forced to withdraw at the break with a recurrence of a foot injury and, with playing resources down to the bare ones, Chris Worts was pressed into action at right-back for the second period. It did not take the manager long to make his mark as within ten minutes he handed Tockwith an equaliser.
Fendyke tipped a close range Bleanch effort on to the bar and Worts, attempting to clear, only succeeded in powering a header past his stricken 'keeper and into the top corner.
Trojans continued to play a patient game and continued to look dangerous without ever really creating clear cut chances for Connolly and strike partner Gareth Goodison.
With ten minutes remaining Trojans forced a corner and when the ball ran loose in the box Goodison was first to pounce to squeeze the ball home from the tightest of angles to spare his manager's blushes and seal his side's first points of the season.
Stuart Dibb collected match point for his polished display at the heart of a very solid looking back
line.
Burley Trojans 2
Bramhope 0
Trojans made it back to back wins as they disposed of Premier Division new boys Bramhope on The Rec. Second-half goals from Gareth Goodison and Stuart Copley were enough to sink the plucky visitors who never gave up and caused the home defence some uncomfortable moments late on.
The visitors carved out the first chance Phil Wilman rose to head over from an early corner whilst in reply Nick Quaife's header from a Jonny Lofthouse free-kick was just too high. Trojans established a stranglehold in the first 20 minutes with Goodison, Chris Connolly and Stuart Dibb all going close with Jonny Lofthouse the provider on each occasion. Andy Vowles and Connolly also tested David Brindle before Chris Lockwood forced the visiting 'keeper into a stunning save.
Bramhope battled their way back into the game before the break and defender Ian McKain had to be alert to make a crucial block on David Hall as the striker pulled the trigger.
Ian Broadhead also linked up well with Chris Graham who force Chris Hargreaves in to a smart diving save as the first-half ended goalless. It took Trojans only a minute after the break to open their account as Goodison notched his third goal of the season. Vowles' excellent vision picked out the young striker and he ran on before dispatching a cool finish. Broadhead and Wilman were both off target as the visitors were stung into action but it was Trojans who doubled their advantage.
McKain's deep cross was headed back across goal by Connolly and with the defenders in a tangle Copley was free to head home from close range. It was no less than Copley deserved for his tireless work on the left for the home side.
Trojans seemed content to sit on their lead and Bramhope finished the game the stronger with Broadhead going close on a number of occasions, the nearest being when Hargreaves elected to leave his header and the ball cannoned to safety off a post.
Dibb picked up his third consecutive match point as he continues to mature into a fine central defender.
l Trojans are at Beckwithshaw on Saturday, kick-off 2pm. Players meet at the Red Lion at 12.45pm.
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