KIRKBY MALZEARD...2

BURLEY TROJANS.......0

BURLEY Trojans recent run of good form was abruptly halted by a resurgent Kirkby Malzeard on Saturday. The long trek to North Yorkshire clearly didn't suit Trojans and they meekly surrendered with barely a whimper.

Kirkby dominated for most of the game and home keeper Anthony Allinson had what was surely his quietest afternoon of the season.

The home side went ahead midway through the first-half with an absolutely stunning strike. Their giant central defender joined in an attack and when he received the ball 35 yards out he sent a thunderbolt rocketing past Chris Hargreaves and into the top corner.

The same player was the rock on which most Trojans moves foundered as he won everything in the air and the visitors lacked the invention to find any other way through.

Trojans best moment of the game came just before the break when skipper Nick Quaife's excellent deep cross found centre-forward Chris Connolly whose firm downward header beat Allinson but rebounded to safety of the foot of a post.

Kirkby effectively put the result beyond doubt with 20 minutes remaining when Hargreaves saved but the ball squirmed out of his grasp and the home forward reacted quickest to net the rebound.

The one ray of sunshine for Trojans was the performance of Man-of-the- Match Jonathan Lofthouse. He continually tormented his marker Danny Wise on the right flank, eventually forcing the young defender into a rash tackle for which he was rightly cautioned and later substituted.

Trojans, having battled to respectability in the table, must now guard against complacency and maintain their momentum to ensure a top six finish.

l On Saturday Trojans are on their travels again, this time to improving Pateley Bridge, kick-off 2.30pm.

l The Reserves' home fixture with Thirsk Falcons was called off an hour before kick off with their visitors from North Yorkshire unable to field a team. Trojans must now wait to see whether the league award them the three points as their fixtures continue to pile up.

l On Saturday the Reserves entertain top-of-the-table Black Swan in a match which they must win to keep alive their title ambitions, kick-off 2.30pm.

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