Pool 2

Skipton Bulldogs 1

AFTER crashing out of the League Challenge Cup last week Pool returned to Cup action against an unknown quantity in Skipton Bulldogs.

It was an evenly contested opening half, with both teams probing. Pool, had the clearer chances in front of goal but were frustrated by a confident 'keeper on numerous occasions.

The second-half started very similar to the first with both teams trying to gain an edge. On 60 minutes Speight found himself on the edge of the box with two defenders between him and goal. Having skipped past the first, the second was having none of it and cruelly hacked him down.

The ensuing spot kick was confidently dispatched by Joyce to put Pool in the driving seat.

Three minutes later Pool were two up. Taylor picked up the ball on the half-way line and knocked a 40 yard ball to the far post where Mick Allinson, who appeared from nowhere, drove home.

Skipton never gave up the ghost and to their credit continually pushed

at Pool but found stern resistance in Dobson, Ingle, Studds and Newbould, who were never going to let the previous week's open day be repeated.

Skipton gained a late consolation goal two minutes from time but it was too little too late.

To their credit Pool approached this game determined to exorcise the ghosts of the previous week and will prove a tough nut to crack if they can put in displays like this on a regular basis. Pool's Match Point was shared by Lee Ingle and Mat Healey.

Hunsworth 3

Pool Reserves 2

POOL Reserves almost produced a shock result taking a two goal lead against their County Amateur League hosts Hunsworth, Chris Graham being on target for both goals which, it has to be said, came against the run of play.

Hunsworth handled the setback well, continuing to create chances, and it was no more than they deserved when their second-half goals gave them a narrow victory.

Pool, though disappointed, can take heart from this performance because if they can continue in the same vein they will take all the beating in their all-important League campaign.

Park Row Associates 10

Pool A 0

IT would appear that Park Row took the match as an opportunity to take revenge for the 5-1 mauling they got from Pool's first team in the Wharfedale Cup three weeks ago, and this they did in style.

Their cause was helped by a handful of Pool players who were a little worse for wear following some function the previous night.

Little can be said about Pool's performance. They were simply beaten by a better side on the day.

All they can do now is go home, lick their wounds and come out fighting in future matches, accepting the fact that days like this sometimes happen, albeit less likely if all players arrive fit for the fray.

POOL (home to Wetherby Athletic, meet at 1 pm for 2.15 pm kick-off) from: C Wilkinson, L Ingle, G Dobson, G Studds, D Newbould, N Speight, J Megson, J Taylor, M Healey, S Joyce, J Ramsey, D Jackson, J Denman.

Reserves (at Ripon Red Arrows, meet at 12.45 pm) from: Pollard, Roberts, Shaw, Stenton, Evans, Howden, Dickinson, Ireland, Firth, Graham, Myers, Smith, N Taylor, Carter.

A Team (home to Pateley Bridge, meet at 1 pm) from: Beale, Boulton, Martin, R Taylor, A Forbes, Grimmitt, Groves, Tye, Tolson, Forrest, Steval, Keddle, Jones, Cowgill, Metcalf, Hall.