Burley TROJANS......2

Pool............................1

BURLEY Trojans saw off the challenge of local rivals Pool to open up a three points lead at the top of the Premier Division. A stunning solo goal from Jonny Lofthouse and a Peter Sumner rocket gave the home side the edge and despite a late consolation from Pool's veteran striker Sean Joyce the scoreline reflected the Trojans' superiority.

Trojans made their intentions clear as early as the first minute when Tom McDermott flashed a shot wide as the home side set about their task like demons. It was not all one-way traffic and Joyce forced 'keeper Chris Hargreaves to save at the foot of a post on a rare Pool foray.

The opening goal on 20 minutes had class written all over it. Centre-half Chris Lockwood, who had a storming game at the heart of the Trojans back four, picked out Lofthouse on halfway. The diminutive winger flicked the ball around his marker and set off with the entire Pool defence trailing in his wake.

Showing tremendous composure Lofthouse drew the 'keeper and went round him before rolling the ball into the empty net much to the delight of the home supporters.

Chances were at a premium and both sides were cancelling each other out in the final third of the pitch.

Midfielder Grant Dyson, patrolling the left flank with calm assurance, set up a great chance for McDermott but the youngster, in acres of space inside the area shot tamely into the 'keeper's arms.

Pool stepped up a gear after the break and, on a rare occasion that Hargreaves was beaten, right-back Matt Steer came to the rescue, heading Matt Healey' goal-bound header to safety. Joyce saw a spectacular curling effort saved by the 'keeper as Pool failed to cash in on their best spell of the match.

As you would expect in a local derby the challenges were full blooded and referee John Clarke was kept busy. Keeping his head amongst all the fever and passion was Trojans' skipper Nick Quaife who ran the midfield and once again eclipsed his opposite number to earn a second consecutive match point.

Lofthouse had a great opportunity to double his tally when Gary Shankland skipped clear of Lee Ingle and picked him out with a great cutback from the byeline.

The 'keeper saved the first attempt and, when the ball rebounded, Lofthouse smashed his second effort a hairs breadth wide of the post.

Shankland was also at the heart of the move which led to the second goal.

The big centre-forward, who had proved a handful for the Pool central defenders all night, held the ball up well and squared an intelligent pass into the stride of Sumner. The midfielder took a touch before burying an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards to make it three goals in three games.

Pool's response was instant as Joyce somehow found space in the area despite the attentions of three Trojans defenders to stab an instant strike into the roof of the net.

Despite Pool's beat efforts in the fading light an equaliser never really looked likely and would have been an injustice to the league leaders who continue to go from strength to strength.

Burley Trojans.............0

Boroughbridge.............1

Trojans' title hopes took a jolt as they slipped to their first league defeat since September. The defeat allowed Kirkby Malzeard to draw level on points with Trojans and both sides now have an identical goal difference.

Boroughbridge themselves are still in the hunt, only six points adrift with a game in hand on the the top two.

Trojans suffered a setback before the game when leading scorer Chris Connolly was forced to withdraw through illness. Any thoughts that the visitors might have their minds on Monday's Senior Cup Final with Pool were banished as they quickly settled into their stride and 'keeper Chris Hargreaves was pressed into action to save from Mark Schofield.

With Jonny Lofthouse looking dangerous Trojans had their moments and he set up Peter Sumner who saw his 18 yard drive fly over the bar.

The sides were cancelling each other out in the midfield areas and there were precious few goalscoring chances in a dour first-half.

The game opened up in the second- half and it was the visitors who created the lion's share of the chances. Jimmy Binks fired over and Darryl Perry dragged his shot wide as Boroughbridge took control. Binks found himself in the clear and, although his shot cleared Hargreaves, the 'keeper recovered to scoop the ball to safety.

The all important goal came midway through the second-half following a rare slip from the normally reliable Hargreaves. Perry broke down the right and Hargreaves spilled his teasing cross into the path of midfielder Nick Gill who scored from close range.

Trojans came within an ace of equalising minutes later when Sumner burst clear of three defenders down and his measured cross brushed the forehead of skipper Nick Quaife as he flung himself forward at full stretch. The ball fell to Connolly, on as a second-half substitute and he fired an angled drive into the side netting.

With the game stretched the visitors began to find space in attack. Stuart

Dibb headed off the line with Hargreaves stranded and the 'keeper then atoned for his earlier error with two stunning saves, first at the feet of Binks and then denying substitute Andrew Hall at the foot of his post.

Despite the setback Trojans' fate remains in their own hands and they must now clear their heads for tonight (Thursday's game at Pateley Bridge, kick-off 6.45pm).

This is then followed up by a League Cup quarter-final tie against the same opposition on The Rec on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.