Addingham..........2

Oxenhope.............2

Despite only taking a point from this game Addingham showed how far they have come in recent months. The visitors were buoyant following their 4-2 win last time out over the Premier League leaders Skipton Bulldogs.

The victory may have been in the league cup but it enhanced the Oxenhope reputation immensely. Addingham had started their season with a 3.3 draw against Bulldogs, a stunning result and display that offered great promise.

Unfortunately dropped points and poor performances had seen Addingham languishing near the foot of the table. Come January and Addingham took a change in form that more than showed the true potential off this young side.

In fact were the statistics over the last ten games averaged over the season they would now be joint top of the league, six wins, two draws, and two defeats in the last ten outings are figures to be proud of, especially as much of the early season had been a catalogue of embarrassing failures.

A mid afternoon downpour had made the surface slippy to say the least, but this just added to the spectacle, having been rolled the previous day the pitch was a players dream.

Right from the start Addingham went at the visitors, the absence of club captain Simon Collins through injury, was hardly evident. Mike Kerrnick, and Sergio Galasso were switched inside alongside Tim Marriot to form the heart of Addinghams five man midfield.

This was to prove a key factor as Oxenhope were denied any time in midfield, resulting in their front men becoming frustrated through lack of service. Jammie Barrow and Paul Wintersgill were having no such problems up front for Addingham, their recently formed partnership growing in confidence every game.

Both players went close early on before Addingham fell to a sucker punch, slack marking allowed the striker to wrong foot Andy Dobson and with the defence static Oxenhope took the lead, albeit against the run of play.

Early seasons fragile confidence may well have seen Addingham collapse, but not any more. They rolled up their collective sleeves and went back about their task. Carl Kernick and Jez Parker on either wing were causing mayhem and it was not before time when J Barrow levelled a sweet pass by Dustin King was flicked into Barrow's path by C Kernick and he made no mistake.

A similar move moments later was only denied by the post, then Greg Palmer went close as did Wintersgill. With the half drawing to close Oxenhope regained the lead, Willson did well to hold off Kevin Bates and King before driving an unstoppable shot past Dobson. Proof, if it were needed, that Oxenhope were no mugs.

Addingham had a great chance to level right on half time. A crude foul on Barrow resulted in a penalty, but unfortunately the usual reliable Gallaso fired wide.

Once again Addinghams' confidence was being tested, they had outplayed a good side but were still trailing, not long ago negative thoughts may well have seen a second half collapse, but the renewed confidence gained by recent victories was now so strong that Addingham not only saw a glimmer of hope, but they truly believed this game was theirs to win.

How Oxehnope kept them at bay was a combination of good defending and equally impressive hold up play by their two frontmen. Sensing a smash and grab raid the visitors strung men behind the ball, and when broken down by Addingham slick approach play they weren't adverse to a few crunching tackles.

With 30 minutes left Addingham introduced Brendan Kelly and his power and pace added another dimension to their attack. Kelly's neat lay off to Palmer was stroked into the path of Barrow, who having timed his run to perfection, drew the 'keeper and slid the ball past him, only to see it come back off the post.

Undaunted the homeside continued to dominate and with ten minutes left stand-in-skipper Barrow levelled the scores, a mazy run saw him round the 'keeper and then tap home. Oxenhope having been battered for 80 minutes seemed content with a point, but such is Addinghams desire nothing less than victory was acceptable.

Sadly a point was all they got, although a late chance from Parker could have changed that. Despite the disappointment of only gaining a drew Addingham knew their performance was one of their best of the season.

The recent upsurge has also put them in a position where two wins from their final two games will see them finish fourth in the Craven Premier League, their highest ever finish in what will be their last term, as the new challenge of the Harrogate League awaits.