Helperby 3

Addingham 5

Addingham completed the league double over Helperby and moved above them in this top-of-the-table clash. Starting the day in fourth place Addingham knew that with three games in hand over the top three victory in every game will see them take the title.

Once again Addingham were unable to field their strongest line up skipper Si Collins joining Kernick and Paul Marriot on the injury list, and with Galasso pulling out at thelast minute, and manager Ridley still suspended Addingham were glad for the return of Richard Campbell and veteran Jez Parker.

A cup defeat at the hands of Helperby gave Addingham a real desire to overturn their rivals but the start they made was impressive to say the least. With just a minute played Campbell cleared upfield and Barrow latched on to the ball and held off the marker before slipping his shot neatly past the 'keeper.

Helperby re-started and moments later were two down, this time Jon Cummings played in Barrow who was challenged by the out rushing 'keeper. The ball was momentarily lost as both players collided but the Addingham man regained his bearings the quickest and tapped the ball into the empty net.

Still reeling Helperby began to hold possession better and dominated the next 20 minutes. They pulled one back from a corner and with renewed vigour they looked likely to equalise. Addingham then scored a vital third. Cummings' long throw took the Helperby defence by total surprise and Damian Smithson rose unchallenged to head home at the far post.

Smithson then had chance to put the game out of reach, Steve Perkins who was superb in the first-half, skinned his marker for the umpteenth time and drilled a low cross that Smithson met first time but Bird saved superbly to keep the home side in the match.

With the half in injury time Lewis got a second for Helperby with a wonderful low strike.

The stakes were so high for this game that the second-half was littered with mistakes and generally poor football. That said Mills, Wells and Tim Marriot were awesome as Addingham's back three.

Addingham had a blatant penalty turned away, the referee failing to spot Grasby pushing the ball away with his hand. With no substitutes left Addingham were forced to carry on with Barrow barely able to run after straining an ankle, an injury that will rule him out of this evening's fixture at Burley.

Playing through the pain Barrow hobbled forward as Smithson broke down the right. Smithson squared across and Barrow volleyed with his injured left foot to restore Addingham's two goal cushion.

Sensing the need to stick with what they had Cummings, Palmer, Parker and Campbell blocked the midfield as Addingham looked to limp to the finish. Helperby looked a beaten side. Having made little impression in the second-half they were thumping long balls over midfield but with little joy.

Addingham then headed a fifth when Campbell powered home another Cummings long throw but the referee bizarrely ruled it out for off-side. A read of the rule book required one thinks.

Helperby gained a brief ray of hope when with six minutes left Wells and Mills collided and the ball squirmed off Wells past Andy Dobson into the net.

A draw would have only been welcomed by title rivals Beckwithshaw but Helperby were desperately trying to force a point from the game.

With time running out Mark Furness blazed a shot over much to Addingham's relief and as Helperby stood with heads in hands Dobson took the goalkick quickly out to Parker. He won a throw deep in the Helperby half. The home side once again failed to respond to the threat from Cummings' huge throw and Smithson sneaked in behind the defence to back head over the stranded 'keeper.

The referee paused for a moment then atoned for his earlier error and the goal rightly stood. Helperby heads understandably dropped as the points and possibly their title challenge disappeared.

For Addingham the win was paramount but with two games a week and a League Cup semi-final looming the mounting injuries are cause for concern.

l Tonight, Thursday, Addingham are away to Burley Trojans Reserves, kick-off at 6.30pm(Players meet at 5.30 pm).

On Saturday Addingham are at home to Ripon Red Arrows, players meet at 2 pm.