Burley Trojans 0

Beckwithshaw Saints 2

BURLEY Trojans' poor run of results continued as they made a premature exit from the League Cup at the hands of Premier Division leaders Beckwithshaw.

Following the previous week's cup heroics it was a dismal showing from Trojans who were unable to muster a single shot on goal in the whole ninety minutes against a strong Beckwithshaw side who seem to be running into form at a critical time of the season.

The home side got off to the worst possible start, going behind within 60 seconds of the kick-off. Left-back Chris Lockwood lost possession on halfway and Steve Stocks broke clear and delivered a hanging cross which Dan Shuffe reached ahead of 'keeper Chris Hargreaves to steer a header in off the far post.

In truth Trojans never really recovered from this body blow and showed little in the way of fight or determination. Chances for the home side were few and far between and their best effort of the first-half was a 25 yard free-kick from skipper Nick Quaife which flew narrowly over the angle of post and bar.

Stocks proved a real livewire on the right flank and from another of his crosses centre-forward Jerome Majorel saw his header shave the post. Stocks was also the provider for Shuffe whose rasping low drive forced Hargreaves into an excellent tumbling save. Midfielder Mick Sweetman also fired over as Trojans found themselves in danger of being embarrassed in front of their largest crowd of the season.

The rampant visitors doubled their lead on 25 minutes with a quality strike from Majorel. Receiving the ball wide on the left he turned inside Stuart Dibb and looked up before sending a superb effort into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Trojans' response was instant with Gary Shankland setting up Jonny Lofthouse who will have been disappointed to see his shot go wide with 'keeper Keith McKenzie in no man's land.

Phil Constantine, well shackled by old adversary Martin Kilvington, tried his luck on the right and manged to wriggle clear before seeing McKenzie turn his fierce cross shot over.

It was hard to believe that this was the same Trojans side who had hammered five past Saints in a league encounter as recently as December as the visitors continued to dominate. Veteran midfielder John Atkinson forced Hargreaves into another save on the stroke of half-time.

With a comfortable cushion the visitors were able to relax and keep possession in the second -half, waiting for gaps to appear as Trojans chased the game. The fightback failed to materialise and it was Majorel and strike partner Ian Hutton who continued to look dangerous, being denied on numerous occasions by the central defensive pairing of Kieren Honogue and Man- of-the-Match Dibb.

The tireless Shankland fired over and Lofthouse and Quaife combined well to cause panic in the Saints' defence but these were token efforts as the visitors looked assured.

Trojans will hope that Saints continued involvement in the cup might prove a distraction to their league challenge and they must now focus their efforts on overturning the visitors' five point lead at the top of the Premier Division, starting with a tough trip to Kirkby Malzeard on Saturday.

Burley Trojans (at Kirkby Malzeard, kick off 2.15pm, players meet at the Cricket Club at 12.30pm): C Hargreaves, I McKain, C Lockwood, M Hawnt, S Dibb, K Hanogue, J Lofthouse, J Hughes, C Connolly, N Quaife, P Constantine. Subs G Dyson, T McDermott, R Wheeler.

Red Arrows shot

down by Reserves

Ripon Red Arrows 2

Trojans Reserves 4

Trojans Reserves provided some cheer for the club as they ended a dismal run with a deserved victory at struggling Red Arrows.

Trojans should really have won by a more comfortable margin but failure to convert their chances meant they had to wait until the dying minutes for defender Matt Steer to make sure of the points with his first goal for the club.

The home side struck first with centre-forward Matt Clarke pouncing on hesitancy from Steer to lob the stranded Michael Sant.

Trojans soon levelled with a wonder goal from debutant Steve Fozzard. Collecting Steve Nelson's quick throw in on halfway the big central defender strode forward before unleashing a shot from fully 35 yards which flew past a stunned Andy Kirkbright and into the top corner.

Referee Mr Whitwam was forced to limp out of the action after 25 minutes with a calf strain and the Red Arrows' official who took charge did a splendid job in his absence.

Nelson was again the provider for the goal which gave Trojans a half-time advantage. His 30 yard pass picked out leading scorer Gareth Goodison and the young striker beat Kirkbright with aplomb.

Stand in skipper Daz Bates missed a great opportunity to increase the lead but he could only fire straight at the 'keeper when clean through.Tom McDermott, showing his full range of tricks, added a third early in the second-half when he lobbed Kirkbright but the home side refused to lie down, forcing Sant into a couple of fine saves.

Trojans were forced to endure some nervy moments as Red Arrows reduced the arrears with eight minutes remaining. Following a well worked short corner Trojans failed to clear their lines and a home forward was left with an easy finish.

With full time approaching Trojans forced a corner and following a goalmouth scramble Steer collected the loose ball to turn and rifle a shot past the 'keeper from close range to seal the points.

l Trojans Reserves entertain neighbours Pool Reserves on Saturday, kick-off 2.15pm. (Players should meet at the Cricket Club at 1.30pm).