Pool......................2

Ilkley...................2

(Pool won on penalties)

FOR the second year running Pool despatched Ilkley in a semi-final but this time it was more evenly matched. The venue had been switched to Pool because of Ilkley's unfit pitch and Pool's second pitch was just playable.

The first-half saw chances begging at both ends with neither side being able to convert.

With rain coming down the conditions deteriorated considerably. Pool, however, sprung the Ilkley off-side trap on 25 minutes and Chris Graham rounded the 'keeper to put the home side 1-0 up.

Ilkley began to press for the equaliser and poor marking from Pool's side allowed this to happen two minutes before the break when the Ilkley striker finished with his second stab at the ball.

The second-half was much like the first with Pool probably having more of the possession. So it was against the run of play when Ilkley took the lead. Poor marking again allowed the Ilkley midfield man to head home unmarked from a corner.

To their credit Pool didn't allow their heads to go down and continued to probe for the equaliser. However, their composure in front of goal let them down time and time again.

Andy Graham was introduced into the fray which allowed captain Matt Healey to push forward. The effect was immediate. Pool continued to press and with two minutes left they levelled the score.

The Ilkley 'keeper spilled what should have been a comfortable take and Ireland was there to prod the ball home.

The game went into extra-time and Pool had chance to take the lead after five minutes when Graham was pulled down in the area. The resulting spot kick was saved and from then on the game was heading for the inevitable penalty shoot-out.

Chris Graham had chance to finish the game. Andy Staniforth went on a mazey run from his own half beating five players. His shot hit the post and fell to Graham two yards out.

With the goal at his mercy he managed to hit the ball a full three miles over the bar. His blushes were spared, however, when Staniforth, Studds and Outtersides all converted their penalties and two super saves from Allinson gave the tie to Pool.

Match Point was given to Andy Staniforth for a gritty midfield performance.

l Pool now face Boroughbridge in the final at Ripon City Magnets on Easter Monday, kick-off 11am, and if they manage to pull off a victory they will certainly have won this cup the hard way.

Bedale Res..................3

Pool Res.....................3

Pool Reserves really needed to win this vital relegation clash against fellow strugglers Bedale, and when Phil Waite gave them an early lead they seemed to be on course.

Bedale though had other ideas handling the difficult conditions better than Pool to take a 3-1 lead into the second-half.

Fortunately, the importance of the match in their battle for survival was not lost on Pool as they battled on well, goals from Myers and Forrest levelling the scores to earn Pool the one point and just as significantly rob Bedale of two points.

With Dalton losing again, they are beginning to look doomed to the Second Division, so the other relegation spot would appear to be between Bedale Reserves and Pool's local rivals Rawdon.

Pool's remaining four matches are all winnable if they produce the form of which they are capable, which they need to do if they are to stay in Division One, although a couple of wins may be enough depending on other results.

Pool's A team match at home to Christ Church Old Boys, which was to be played on Pool's only fit pitch by the bridge, was lost due the condition of Ilkley's pitch, which necessitated a switch of the senior cup semi-final to Pool.