Rangers snatch Triangle title

Horsforth F'weather.....2

IN these pages last week it was said that this 'should be some game.' As it turned out, it produced the sort of drama that even the editor of Roy of the Rovers would reject as far-fetched.

Put simply, Fairweather needed a draw for the championship while a defeat would hand it to Rangers.

Manager Martin Woods made only one change from last week's cup-winning team, Kelvin Tapley returning at right-back and Dave Ridsdale switching to left midfield to the exclusion of the unlucky Simon Lee.

The move was designed to reduce Park's attacking thrust but by the fifth minute the situation had altered when following a free-kick through the middle, Tim Brierley gave the home side the lead. There followed a torrid spell for Horsforth, with Rangers' strong, direct play bringing the best out of 'keeper James Hunt while Horsforth's more subtle approach caused few problems for a composed defence.

On the half-hour, a frenetic Park attack saw shots hit the bar and twice cleared off the line before left-back Steve Sedgwick finger-tipped a fourth round the post. 'Sedge' duly received the inevitable red card from Tony Brown, the penalty was tucked away by Craig Auton and Fairweather were faced with the proverbial mountain.

Half-time attitudes in the two camps were understandably very different but Horsforth emerged a new team and despite their numerical disadvantage started to produce the flowing football which had kept them unbeaten all season.

John Steenson and skipper Phil Ridsdale tightened things up at the back, Pete Guzdek, Lee Monaghan and Mark Duce prompted tirelessly in midfield, and with Simon Lee on for Dave Ridsdale, Fairweather at last began to exploit the space on their opponents' flanks.

John Newsome's introduction alongside Andy Jackson, allowing Simon Parker to attack from deep, added another dimension, and when five minutes from time Monaghan's long corner was knocked back in by Tapley for Newsome to score from close range it was game on. Three minutes later Parker converted Monaghan's pass, and amid scenes of pandemonium it appeared the ten men had worked a miracle.

But Rangers had other ideas. With the never-say-die spirit which has been their trademark this season they swept back and the closing seconds produced a desperate siege on the visitor's goal. However, the crossbar and more heroics from Hunt looked to have saved Horsforth until, with virtually the last kick of the game, Darren Auton snatched an unbelievable winner - and the Championship - for Park.

So that was it. At the end heads were down but the fact is that Fairweather lost out to a side whose quality today and over the season matched their own and who had proved worthy champions. In difficult circumstances Fairweather had displayed skill, guts and tenacity but above all dignity, and the game provided a tremendous advert for football in general and the Wharfedale Triangle League in particular.