Pool 4

Tockwith 3

POOL stretched their lead at the top to four points with this win but were made to work all the way by a resilient Tockwith.

They didn't really get out of the stalls for the first 20 minutes so it was against the run of play when they found themselves 1-0 to the good.

Taylor and Graham linked on the left and the latter fed Joyce, who slotted home from ten yards.

The expected onslaught never happened and slip-shod defending allowed Tockwith to equalise. So the pattern of the game was set. Pool, looking menacing on the attack but defending as if they'd never played together before.

Pool were 2-1 up on 25 minutes, Graham capitalising on a defensive error and stabbing the ball home. Two minutes later it was 2-2, again Pool allowing Tockwith too much room to play and ball watching.

The game should have been over as a contest when Healey netted with a speculative volley and then Staniforth latched on to a telling through ball, nicking it past a despairing 'keeper to take Pool to a 4-2 lead at the break.

A dejected Tockwith should have been put to the sword but they showed great resilience and pulled the deficit back to 4-3 ten minutes into the second-half. It was game on again and as if Pool's generosity wasn't enough Ingle gave them numerical advantage when he was dismissed for stamping.

A ten man Pool held out and had chances to increase their lead but just couldn't convert. Every player knows they need to improve on this performance if they are to go on and win the league. Match Point was awarded to manager Dennison for an impressive display in watching an entire football match with his head in his hands.

Spa Athletic Res 2

Pool Reserves 2

ON an afternoon more fitting to cricket, it was a shame that neither Spa nor Pool could produce a performance to match the weather. Spa shook the visitors with a goal after only two minutes - a clever lob over the 'keeper.

Having most of the possession it was inevitable that Pool would equalise. Some good work by Kitching and Forrest saw the latter's shot hit the bar but Steve Carter was there to follow up.

Spa refused to be shaken and their response was immediate. The Pool defence was caught out and the 'keeper was beaten with a low shot. Pool re-asserted their authority and once again Steve Carter was there to squeeze the ball home.

The second-half was dominated by Pool but few chances were created. Spa forced a good save from Hall.

Pool A 2

Ilkley Reserves 5

Pool A were stripped of key players at short notice with manager Murphy putting a shirt on as sub for the visit of high-flying Ilkley.

Pool went one down as Ilkley applied pressure. Boulton and Jones then sounded the war-cry and Pool started to turn the game. Liam Rees delivered a pin-point cross and centre forward Steval headed home.

Pool then applied the pressure; hard-working Chris Keddle got a yellow card for pushing but netted with a well-taken header.

In the second-half it was Pool's turn to defend as Ilkley turned on the pressure hitting a flurry of four goals, including a Jones own goal.

l On Saturday Pool entertain Park Tow Associates in the Wharfedale FA Challenge Cup with a 2 pm kick-off.

POOL:(home to Park Row Associates, meet at 12.45 pm) from : Mark Allinson, L Ingle, D Willoughby, G Studds, G Dobson, A Staniforth, J Megson, C Graham, M Healey, S Joyce, J Denman, J Ramsey, Mick Allinson, D Newbould.

Pool Reserves: (at Wellington, meet at 1,15 pm) from: Pollard, Roberts, Stenton, Firth, Evans, Shaw, Ireland, Speight, Jamie Taylor, Howden, N Taylor, Tweedie, P Wilkinson, Myers.

Pool A: (home to Addingham Reserves, meet at 1.15 pm) from : N Payne, A Forbes, C Jones, S Boulton, J Forbes, A Tye, C Keddle, L Rees, D Cowgill, R Smith, J Steval, D Forrest, T Stott, G Chantler, G Kitchen, D Groves.

County Cup ties

Pool will entertain Skipton Bulldogs while Otley Town will travel to Whinmoor Lions in the second round of the West Riding County Challenge Cup,.

Horsforth St Margaret's will entertain Keighley Lifts, Baildon Trinity Athletic have a home tie against St Andrew's or Sowerby United.

In the second round of the County Challenge Trophy Otley Town Reserves entertain Old Lane, Burley Trojans entertain Upper Armley OB, Pool Reserves visit Hunsworth WR, Rawdon OB entertain Morley Town, Horsforth St Margaret's Res visit Featherstone Colliery, Westbrook Wanderers visit Salts.

Matches will be played on Saturday, November 3, kicking-off at 2 pm.