Spa Athletic 3

Burley Trojans 3

Trojans picked up a point from an entertaining draw at Spa to bring the

curtain down on another season which promised so much but once again failed to deliver.

A return of two points from their last four games has seen the title slip from their grasp just like last year and effectively hand the title to local rivals Otley Town Reserves. Town are seven points behind Trojans, who still head the table, but have six games in which to overhaul the long time leaders.

Spa are a much improved side and played their part in an absorbing game in which the lead changed hands three times.

A quiet opening gave no hint of the goals which were to follow and the closest either side came to scoring was when Phil Constantine's effort was cleared off the line.

Spa opened the scoring on 20 minutes with a goal of real quality from the talented James Tindall.

The young midfielder drifted along the Trojans' back line before unleashing a fierce low drive which nestled in the corner of Chris Hargreaves' net. The reply was instant with midfielder Jono Hughes scoring at the second attempt following good work by Jonny Lofthouse.

Trojans' captain Nick Quaife was just off target with a header from Chris Connolly's free-kick and then Constantine's deft flick went the wrong side of the post from a Lofthouse cross.

The normally prolific Connolly, whose scoring touch has deserted him in recent weeks, forced Galton to tip over and then volleyed over.

Hughes headed just over from Ian McKain's cross just after the break while in reply Tim McKernon fired just wide. Former Trojan Andy Dukes blazed over when Man-of-the-Match Chris Lockwood's uncharacteristic slip let him in. Lockwood, on his return to the side, looked solid at centre-half alongside Stuart Dibb.

Midway through the second period the visitors went ahead when Connolly fed young substitute Gareth Goodison who calmly rolled his shot into the corner. Goodison, a regular scorer in the Reserves, did not look out of place at the higher standard.

Both Constantine and Connolly spurned chances to put the game beyond Spa's reach and Trojans paid for their profligacy when Tim Lehan levelled with 15 minutes remaining.

Within two minutes the home side had regained the lead following a crucial error from referee Neil Barlow. The ball clearly went out for a Spa throw in and Mr Barlow seemed to be in a minority of one in deeming it to be a corner. From the kick Dukes punished his former club with a near post header.

With time running out and Trojans' season looking set to end on a disappointing note Grant Dyson combined with Quaife to set up Constantine for a clinical finish.

There was almost a sensational end to proceedings when Tindall's volley from half way was only inches high. It would have been harsh on Trojans who were good value for their point and must now put their disappointments behind them and look forward to next season.

Trojans Reserves 2

Addingham 1

The Leeson's sponsored Trojans Reserves return to form continued with a deserved victory over promotion chasing neighbours Addingham in front of their biggest crowd of the season on The Rec.

Player manager Gary Shankland opted not to strengthen his side with first teamers for the midweek fixture, choosing instead to stick with the same line up who had demolished Red Arrows only five days earlier.

Trojans' leading scorer Gareth Goodison had the first real scoring chance forcing Dobson into a good save. Trojans' rearguard, with ex-Addingham players Tim Fendyke and Darren Bates excelling, stood firm and 'keeper Michael Sant was not really troubled in the early stages.

Jamie Barrow had Addingham's best but his sweetly struck volley cannoned to safety off the bar. The visitors took the lead right on half-time when Damien Smithson skipped clear and coolly finished.

Undeterred by this psychological blow Trojans emerged fired up for the second-half and Goodison was denied when his crisp shot rebounded off a post and into the arms of the grateful Dobson.

Trojans didn't have to wait long to establish parity and their equaliser came from the penalty spot. Right-back Tommy McMahon burst into the area and was crudely challenged from behind by Dan Wells as he shaped to shoot. McMahon picked himself up to drive his spot kick home. Addingham were clearly frustrated at being pegged back but struggled to find any sort of fluency on the difficult surface. It was no surprise when Trojans went ahead.

Fendyke picked out Oliver Barrand who left Richard Mills for dead to drive a sweetly struck shot in. Barrand had a superb game alongside Phil Dodsworth in midfield and thoroughly deserved his match point. Dodsworth patrolled midfield with stealth and cunning and almost extended the lead. Trojans were forced to endure some nervy moments, particularly from a series of long throws by John Cummings. The Reserves have two remaining games - Pool Reserves at home and a trip to Harlow Hill Reserves.