Addingham 7

Ripon City Magnets 1

ADDINGHAM booked their place in the next round of the League Cup with one of their easiest victories for many years. Only good goalkeeping and complacent finishing kept the score respectable, as Addingham controlled play from start to finish.

The previous week's rain left the pitch heavy going, but Addingham dictated play throughout with some fine possession and passing as they created chance after chance.

Right from the off Ripon's lack of real quality was obvious as Addingham took camp in their half, Smithson firing wide twice in the opening moments.

The threat from Ripon was so little that Addingham were finding it hard to motivate themselves, as is often the case when the game is so one-sided, Addingham were barely breaking sweat and still creating good chances.

On ten minutes Jamie Barrow opened the scoring with a delightful lob when put through by Mick Kernick. Tim Marriot then tested the 'keeper with a fierce drive as the home side upped the tempo.

On 18 minutes Damien Smithson made it two. Good pass and move opened Ripon up and Smithson wrong-footed the 'keeper, dribbled round him and tapped the ball into the empty net.

Addingham switched off briefly and allowed Ripon a brief lifeline, a 20 yard free-kick was struck brilliantly into the top corner that gave Andy Dobson no chance.

This, though, proved to be nothing more than an early consolation goal.

Mick Kernick, having taken over as skipper from the injured Si Collins, was running midfield and he started the superb move of the game that led to Addingham's third.

Play was moved from one side of the pitch and back as Addingham kept possession for 15 or 16 passes.

Mick played in brother Carl who, with one touch, laid it off to Smithson who likewise only needed one touch to fiz the ball across to Barrow, who stole in on the blindside to smash home.

With the half coming to an end Carl Kernick nearly made it four. His skill and majestic close control finally rounded off with a sweet chip that just clipped the bar.

Likewise fellow wing-back Sergeo Gallasso saw his well struck shot well saved by the over-worked keeper.

In the second half Addingham moved up a gear and killed the game off after only four minutes.

Back in his favoured central midfield role Philip Smith was unstoppable as time and again he powered forward, brushing off tackles with his long, ungainly stride, lulling defenders into a sight of the ball, only to see an outstretched leg nick it away as he danced forward.

One such foray saw him drive into the box, playing a neat one two with Gallasso, before stabbing the ball home.

Ripon were being well beaten but they deserve great credit for the way they continued to battle on.

Not once did they lose their heads or resort to anything other than trying to play tidy football.

Addingham were not in a mood to offer too much sympathy and Jamie Barrow made it five and completed his second consecutive hat-trick, with a fabulous dipping, swirling shot from fully 24 yards.

With the game well won Jez Parker came on for Smithson and took no time at all in getting in on the act.

Glynn Collins broke forward and his pass to Barrow was instantly laid off to Parker. He turned his man and passed the ball across the hapless 'keeper into the far corner.

From the re-start Addingham won possession and nearly made it seven, Richard Mills almost scoring his first ever goal when put through, but his shot was more danger to the changing room windows than the Ripon goal.

The final act was left to a wonderful strike from young Stevie Perkins, a player who at just 16 has blossomed in his debut season with the first team. Having played well in all his outings thus far, he capped another tremendous performance with a stunning strike.

All through the game his pace and control from right-wing had caused problems.

When he picked up the ball 40 yards out near the flank the danger looked nil, but he cut inside and unleashed a cracker from 30 yards that left the 'keeper grasping at thin air.

The final score of 7-1 was no more than Addingham deserved after what was in truth a very one-sided contest.

l This Saturday Addingham are in Cup action for the fourth week in a row at home. All players to meet at the pitch at 1.15pm.

Wharfedale FA Cup draws

THE draw for the quarter-finals of the Wharfedale and District FA Challenge Cup Quarter Final is - Burley Trojans v Otley Town, Rawdon v VentusYeadon Celtic, Pool v Addingham, Horsforth St Margaret's v Baildon Trinity Athletic. These matches will be played on November 17.

Horsforth St Margaret's have won the Challenge Cup for the last three years.

The first round of the Junior Cup to be played on December 16 is - Otley Town Under-16s v Rawdon AFC Under-16s, Ilkley Juniors Under-16s v Burley Juniors Under-16s, Baildon Trinity Athletic Under-16s v Horsforth Dynamo Under-16s, Guiseley Gremlins Under-15s v Pool Under-15s.

The Junior Cup, which was resurrected in 1999-00, is held by Ilkley Juniors.