BURLEY TROJANS......2

BECKWITHSHAW........0

BURLEY Trojans followed up last week's derby success over Ilkley with a comfortable victory over a stubborn Beckwithshaw side which takes them to the top of the table for the first time this season.

Trojans are now level on points with long time leaders Kirkby Malzeard with a game in hand and the North Yorkshire side have still to visit The Rec.

Trojans had enough possession to have won this match by a more convincing margin but in the end had to rely on a Peter Sumner strike in injury time to finally secure the three points.

The Rec was only passed fit on the morning of the match following torrential rain and on Grand National day the going was officially heavy.

With the strong wind at their backs Trojans tore into their opponents from the kick-off, penning them in their own half for long periods and forcing them on to the back foot.

A series of excellently taken corners from newcomer Tom McDermott caused mayhem in the Beckwithshaw ranks and Stuart Dibb twice went close whilst centre-forward Gary Shankland came desperately close to forcing the opening goal.

It was a case of third time lucky for Dibb as he connected with another McDermott corner on the half hour to send a downward header through the legs of 'keeper Jez Buller.

With Trojans laying almost constant siege to the visitors goal a second goal seemed a certainty but some desperate defending enabled Saints to go in at the break just one goal adrift.

The half-time break failed to disrupt Trojans rhythm and they continued to pepper the Saints' goal. Jonny Lofthouse failed to find the target with an audacious chip and he also struck a post with Buller beaten when Shankland played him in.

Midfielders Nick Quaife and Matt Hawnt both had goalbound efforts turned away by Buller at full stretch and Grant Dyson turned a Lofthouse cross into the side netting from an acute angle.

The introduction of substitute Sumner only served to increase Trojans' domination of the midfield area and, along with Man-of-the-Match Quaife, made light of the atrocious conditions.

With only a one goal cushion the threat of a Saints equaliser always remained and centre-half John Swales went close with a low shot that went just the wrong side of Chris Hargreaves right hand post whilst Martin Roberts fired over from distance.

With 90 minutes on the clock Trojans won a free-kick in a central position 30 yards out. Sumner's delivery into the danger area caused confusion and, with a number of players challenging but not making contact, the ball again passed through the legs of the unfortunate Buller to finally settle the result.

Four of Trojans' remaining fixtures are against top six sides so their title

credentials will be tested to the full in the coming weeks.

l On Saturday Trojans entertain Boroughbridge Reserves and will be keen to avenge their recent cup upset against the same opponents (kick-off 2pm).

Trojans Reserves

get title jitters

MARTON-CUM-GRAFTON...2

TROJANS RESERVES..........2

Trojans Reserves suffered an attack of nerves as they attempted to clinch the Third Division title on Saturday.

With rivals Harold Styans Reserves slipping up at home, victory would have seen Trojans take the title but as it is they now need a point at home from Saturday's return against the same opposition.

It could have been worse for Trojans and they were thankful for a last minute header from Man-of-the- Match Kieren Hanogue which enabled them to escape with a point.

Marton-cum-Grafton have languished around the lower reaches of the division all season but they raised their game and, in goalkeeper Stephen Gold, they had the best player on view.

Time and again he pulled off stunning saves including a late penalty from the normally reliable Gareth Goodison.

With the wind at their backs Trojans controlled the first half but for all their pressure had only a Goodison goal to show for their efforts. It came

midway through the half when the young striker burst clear only to be brought down inside the area.

Goodison dusted himself down to send his spot kick beyond the despairing dive of Gold.

Midfielder Steve Hitchen saw his goalbound lob tipped over by Gold and the home 'keeper also pulled off a tremendous save from Rob Wheeler. Young Mark Carroll did beat Gold but saw his powerful drive fly just over. At the other end skipper Tim Fendyke was in commanding form repelling everything that the home side could muster.

The second-half told a different tale with the Marton midfield gaining the

upper hand and so it was no real surprise when they levelled just before the hour.

A free-kick on the right was whipped in and eluded everyone to nestle in the bottom corner and within five minutes Gavin Johnson capitalised on some hesitancy in the Trojans backline to put the home side in front.

The introduction of the experienced Martin Robinson gave Trojans more presence up front as they stepped up a gear in search of the equaliser. Gold again thwarted Goodison at full stretch before the dramatic finale.

Trojans threw centre-half Steve Nelson forward in a last ditch gamble and when he went down in the area referee Graham Morris pointed to the spot much to the disbelief of the Marton players.

They might have argued that it was poetic justice when Gold brilliantly turned Goodison's penalty behind but from the Hitchen corner which resulted

Hanogue rose above everyone to power home his header.

l On Saturday the Reserves will be seeking to clich the title when they complete their league programme at home to Marton-cum-Grafton, kick- off 4pm.