Jon Gwilliam

ALBION defied monsoon-like conditions at Crossflatts to launch an early attack against York Acorn.

Good work by Simon Kelk sent Jon Gwilliam on a diagonal run but with the line at his mercy the final ball went to ground.

Albion's defence forced Acorn to spill the ball on the second tackle, but the Keighley side also committed errors which spurred Acorn into action. Albion's defenders missed a kick down field allowing Steven Irving to score the game's opening try.

Albion attacked repeatedly with Simon Kelk and Gwilliam in the thick of things but the Acorn defence was solid. The visitors' next foray into Albion territory saw the lively Danny Liddell drop a field goal to increase their lead.

Simon Kelk was knocked off the ball as he chased his own kick and he kicked the penalty to put Albion on the score sheet.

Albion's pack led by Craig Morphett and Martin Fryers and half backs Gwilliam and Kelk were causing problems for the visitors' defence and on 32 minutes the game boiled over with Gwilliam and Acorn's Michael Embleton being sent to the sin-bin.

The conditions made it difficult for Albion's attacking players to hold on to the ball and the frustration showed in the last minute of the half as they were caught off-side on their own line. Danny Liddell kicked the penalty to put Acorn in the driving seat with a 7-2 half time lead.

Coach Keith Reeves' half time blast seemed to have done the trick and a deep kick allowed winger Dave Sanderson to out pace his opposite number to score. The conversion attempt went wide, but were back in the game.

Chances went begging at both ends before York's Jon Hough scored in the corner to stretch their lead to 11-6.

Albion hit back with a high kick from Gwilliam being collected by Neil Jordan who found substitute Andy Bowness. He drew the Acorn full back before giving a well-timed pass to Paul Fryers who crashed over. The kick drifted wide but Albion were just a point behind at 10-11.

Tony Fretwell and Simon Marsden set up good field positions but Albion were unable to take the advantage.

The ever alert Acorn half back Danny Liddell snatched victory in injury time when he broke from half way to score under the posts. The conversion gave Acorn a flattering 17-10 win.

Danny Liddell had been a constant threat to Albion was York's man of the match. Albion's Jon Gwilliam, Craig Morphett, Wayne Smith and Simon Kelk had worked hard but without reward, Kelk picking up Albion's man of the match award.

Tomorrow Albion travel to play London Skolars who are below them in the highly competitive Conference Division Two.