Beckwithshaw 2

Pool 1

HIGH-flying Pool were pitched against Beckwithshaw for the fourth time this season in this Harrogate and District League fixture. The visitors arrived in seemingly complacent mood, engaging in their ritual penalty kick warm-up and a spot of basketball on the adjacent court.

The bruising Beckwithshaw battlers wasted no time in puncturing Pool's bubble of boisterous bravado. Pool's makeshift yet stylish defence was forced to abandon their total footballing principles under the relentless pressure of the home side's aerial onslaught. Beckwithshaw took a shock lead when Duffissey flicked the ball on for Roland Marshall to slot home.

Pool reacted with a Neolithic frenzy. Fancy flicks, one-twos, nutmegs, Cruyff turns and deft dribbles were on display as the visiting title contenders began to produce a carnival atmosphere. Chances were wasted with the gay abandon of a silver-haired squirrel ridding his tree dwelling of a surplus supply of chestnuts after a long winter's hibernation.

However, Beckwithshaw were unable to repel Carl Wilson's muscular foray and the ball ran loose to the predatory Shaun Joyce who scored with the first left-footed goal of his career.

The second-half degenerated into a series of scuffles and petty personal feuds which succeeded only in disrupting Pool's rhythm. Neither side seemed capable of piercing the dominant rearguards and gilt-edged chances were sparse.

With the clock ticking and the whistle lodged between referee Jonathon Roddy's lips, Beckwithshaw launched a speculative long throw towards the congested Pool penalty area.

The young, sparrow-like goalkeeper Wilkinson leapt like a salmon with the clear intention of punching the ball to safety. However, his glove must have been back to front as his calamitous contact flew into the empty net.

This sucker punch proved decisive and Beckwithshaw celebrated the result with the unreserved jubilation usually associated with a New Year bash.

Pool have now lost ground in the high-octane chase for the title. They will look to put their season back on track when they face close rivals Hampsthwaite on Saturday.

The Man-of-the-Match award was presented to Robin Outtersides who prodded and probed with the precision of a Harley Street heart surgeon.

Pool Reserves.............2

Wetherby Ath Res......4

Pool Reserves entertained League leaders Wetherby on a bright afternoon and could easily have narrowed the gap at the top of Harrogate Division One.

In an uneventful first period, Pool went behind when the Wetherby striker turned a low cross in at the near post, 'keeper Newns fumbling when he should easily have saved.

Disgusted at their first-half performance, Pool fired themselves up and dominated the second, a half worthy of a top-of-the-tableclash. Wetherby doubled their advantage from a corner before Pool mounted an awesome fightback.

After sustained periods of pressure Pool were rewarded with a penalty when Singleton had his shirt pulled in the box. Newbould stepped up and coolly slotted home. Minutes later Evans delivered a clever corner to the near post and Graham, aware as ever, reacted quickest to fire a shot in, which was turned home by the unfortunate Fender. Having clawed their way back, Pool proceeded to plot their own downfall, surging forward in search of another goal and a fairy-tale victory.

The alarm bells sounded when Pool were caught short at the back, a Wetherby striker running through the defence and firing a vicious shot towards the top corner. Newns, however, kept his side in it with an athletic save, tipping the ball over his bar, but the young 'keeper deputising for Winterburn, was lobbed twice late on and Pool were left thinking what might have been.

Match Point went yet again to battling midfielder Dave Singleton, who continued an impressive run of form with another combative, commanding display.

Pool 'A' ...................0

Harold Styans..........1

On a mild spring afternoon Pool 'A' entertained Harold Styans on the riverside pitch. Styans, starting strong, used the pace of these front two strikers to test the experience of centre-backs Jones and Boulton.

In an even first-half Styans took the lead when a nasty bobble caught Boulton out for Styan's striker to nip in and slot the ball home. Chances for Trimnell and Smallshaw were evident but neither could net.

In the second-half Pool took control with consistent attacking play. Styans were under constant pressure, Wilkinson thought he'd scored from a corner but the referee denied him. D Ireland had a point-blank header cleared off the line, and Forrest sliced wide on numerous occasions.

In a match Pool should have won the Styan's 'keeper had a magnificent game. Match Point was shared by the whole team.

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