Pool into final

MASHAM............2

AS cup fever gripped the village of Pool a confident Masham side, runaway leaders of the Harrogate League Second Division, were determined to enjoy their brief dabble in such high quality competition.

They started at a high paced charge reminiscent of a herd of wilderbeast sweeping majestically across the Serengeti.

Their supporters went into delirious celebrations when their striker toe-poked the ball past the Pool 'keeper.

This spurred Pool into action and the woodwork kept them at bay despite good aerial efforts by Healey and Studds. After Matthew O'Grady had rattled the post once more ever alert Shaun Joyce sneaked in front of his marker and levelled the scores.

A 15 minute spell after half-time effectively sealed a cup final place for the Wharfedale warhorses. A majestic passing move involving Outtersides and Joyce found Taylor tentatively tiptoeing the touchline and his glorious crossfield ball seemed infused with a heat-seeking mechanism as it headed towards striker Carl Wilson.

The Arthington Lane support erupted as Wilson leapt to fire past the Masham 'keeper.

Two further goals expertly despatched by Wilson and Joyce provided Pool with a luxurious lead. However, some petulant challenges from a dispirited Masham side resulted in Greenwood and Taylor limping off.

Masham took advantage of Pool's enforced changes and when Duffissey scored late in the game the last few minutes were fraught. Pool, dealt well with the pressure and can look forward to the final on Saturday, May 13, kicking off at 6 pm against local rivals Ilkley AFC at a venue to be confirmed. Match point was shared by Taylor and O'Grady.

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

Tockwith.................3

With Pool Reserves now looking to finish just outside the promotion places the motivation factor looked missing prior to kick-off. However, as the whistle went and the first challenge flew in the Pool team rose to the task and took the game to Tockwith.

Early chances fell to Reddington, who just missed a through ball from Graham, but he made ammends when Horsley split the defence and Reddington coolly chipped the 'keeper.

This sparked Tockwith into life and two quality strikes put them in front. Pool responded with slick passing moves from Evans to Dickinson and then Waite to Graham who forced a corner. From a vicious inswinging corner by Waite near post pressure gave Dickinson the chance to stab home.

Further pressure from Pool again resulted in a corner and again Tockwith failed to respond as Duxbury gleefully fired Pool in front just on the stroke of half-time.

The second-half started with a string of heavy challenges with Newbould and Duxbury holding firm and Myers and Horsley breaking up the play. Pool looked to be coasting to a well-deserved win until Dickinson fell foul of a Tockwith challenge which resulted in a broken ankle.

With a delay while they waited for the ambulance the actions of the Tockwith team and management left something to be desired.

After a long delay the game re-started and a scrappy final ten minutes saw Pool concede a sloppy goal which levelled the scores.

Don Newbould praised all his Pool side but match point went to Horsley.

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