BURLEY TROJANS.........0

TOCKWITH.....................3

The pressure of life at the top proved too much for Trojans as they crashed to a shock home defeat in their final league match. Needing a win to put the pressure back on to Kirkby Malzeard and Boroughbridge, Trojans never recovered from conceding two early goals and simply ran out of steam against lively opponents.

With Peter Sumner unavailable and skipper Nick Quaife limping off with a foot injury, the home side were overrun in midfield and were second best in all departments.

Trojans had an early opportunity when confusion between the Tockwith 'keeper and one of his defenders saw the ball run loose to Chris Connolly but, having rounded the stranded 'keeper, his shot flew over.

A defensive slip allowed the visitors to go ahead on ten minutes, the Tockwith forward keeping his head to round Chris Hargreaves and roll the ball home. Quaife headed wide from a Connolly corner as the home side tried in vain to battle back.

The visitors should have added to their tally shortly afterwards following a slip form Chris Lockwood but the attacker screwed his shot wide with just Hargreaves to beat.

Slack marking allowed Tockwith to score a second before the break and even a half-time roasting from the normally placid Chris Worts failed to lift Trojans.

A well taken third 15 minutes from time put the result beyond doubt and, apart from a couple of goalmouth scrambles, Trojans never looked capable of breaking down a well organised defence. Connolly picked up match point for his battling performance up front but it was scant consolation as he and his colleagues missed out on the big prize.

Trojans may be left kicking themselves for allowing the title to slip from their grasp but it has been a tremendous season for the club in only their second term in the top flight, finishing as Wharfedale's top club in the division and, in addition, the Reserves have secured the Third Division title.

Penalty agony for Trojans

BURLEY TROJANS.........1

BOROUGHBRIDGE........1

(Boroughbridge won 5-4

on penalties)

Battling Trojans tried to put their recent league disappointment behind them with a courageous semi -final performance against an in-form Boroughbridge side.

Two hours of competitive football could not separate the sides and it took a sudden death penalty shoot out to determine that Boroughbridge should take their place in Saturday's final.

Trojans were indebted to 'keeper Chris Hargreaves for some wonderful saves during normal time to keep the Boroughbridge forwards at bay but it was not all one-way traffic as the home side created a number of openings, having a goal disallowed for off-side and hitting the post with the last kick of extra-time.

The vistors had the first opening when Nat Campbell headed Oliver Uffindall's corner over and then Jimmy Binks profited from a defensive mix up but shot wildly over with just Hargreaves to beat.

At the other end Tom McDermott tricked his way past two defenders before delivering a cross which Stuart Dibb headed goalwards. In the ensuing scramble the ball fell kindly for Jonny Lofthouse whose powerful drive was tipped over by Stephen Hendry.

Trojans deservedly went ahead after 30 minutes with a headed goal from centre-forward Gary Shankland. Shankland rose to meet Peter Sumner's right wing free-kick and as the ball looped into the air, he was first to react to send his header beyond the reach of Hendry.

Shankland and Dibb combined to set up Sumner whose shot was well gathered by Hendry as the home side took the upper hand.

Hargreaves was called into action just before the break, spreading himself to save from Uffindall from close range, to preserve Trojans' lead.

The big 'keeper made a carbon copy save from the same player after the interval as the visitors began to exert some pressure.

Lofthouse headed just over again following good work form Shankland and Dibb before the latter saw a goal ruled out for off-side as he netted from close range.

Man-of-the-Match Hargreaves then foiled the visitors with a string of three breathtaking saves in as many minutes, denying Uffindall, Binks and Nick Gill as Trojans began to think it might be their evening.

With ten minutes remaining Boroughbridge forced a corner on the right and as the ball was swung over it was squeezed home at the near post through a crowd of players.

Trojans refused to buckle and substitute Andy Vowles had two attempts just off target as the game balanced on a knife edge.

With neither side able to break the deadlock the tie went into extra-time.

Trojans lost experienced defender Chris Lockwood who had battled all game with injury as manager Chris Worts was forced to reshuffle, moving Dibb to centre-half. Hendry matched Hargreaves with a stunning save to deny substitute Matt Hawnt.

Dibb remained a threat from set pieces as he headed over from Sumner's corner.

Sumner then forced Hendry to save well from his 35 yard free-kick and then McDermott released Lofthouse whose long range effort had Hendry scrambling backwards.

With the final move of the game Hawnt wriggled free on the left and Hendry managed to get a hand to his goalbound shot to turn it onto the post.

This was the first-time that Trojans had experienced a penalty shoot out and with the teams still deadlocked after five spot kicks each it was Boroughbridge who secured their place in the final with sudden death victory.

Trojans can rightly be proud of their efforts over the past nine months and they go into the summer break knowing that they have a solid foundation upon which to build next season.