HAMPSTHWAITE 2

BURLEY TROJANS 4

Trojans put on their best performance of the season to upset the form book at high flying Hampsthwaite. The Harrogate side have enjoyed the better of recent encounters between the pair, however battling Trojans were good value for their victory.

Trojans' plans were disrupted when skipper Nick Quaife's map reading skills were found wanting and he got lost en route, forcing manager Gary Shankland to re-organise his starting line up.

Quaife's team mates also lost their way early on, falling behind after ten minutes. Paul Patterson crossed from the right and Pete Orton managed to lose his marker and power a downward header past Chris Hargreaves.

The visitors missed an opportunity to get back on level terms almost immediately. Following a well worked free- kick, Chris Lockwood fed Phil Constantine and from his driven cross Stuart Dibb's snap shot cleared the bar.

Orton could have doubled the lead when put clear but Hargreaves spread himself well to save. Hampsthwaite's physical style was more than matched by the visitors and referee Stephenson was kept busy, brandishing his yellow card on no less than six occasions as the game threatened to boil over.

The prolific Chris Connolly grabbed Trojans equaliser on 20 minutes. Ivan Doherty and Jonathan Lofthouse combined on the right and Connolly kept his nerve to round the 'keeper and finish from a tight angle. Orton was guilty of the miss of the match just before the interval when, with the goal at his mercy he managed to spoon the ball into the arms of a very grateful Hargreaves.

Shankland unselfishly sacrificed himself at half-time to get Quaife into the action and the move paid off as Trojans went ahead on the hour mark. Man- of-the-Match Constantine's corner eluded everyone and stand-in skipper Dibb headed in at the far post.

Hargreaves saved twice in quick succession to preserve the lead, firstly blocking Orton's low drive and then tipping over Patterson's close range header.

The visitors lost Doherty with a foot injury and his replacement, Chris Worts, was straight into the action, clearing off the line with Hargreaves stranded.

Trojans rearguard stood firm, with Tim Fendyke and Jonathan Clarkson playing their part and, just when it looked like they might hang on, Patterson broke clear and smashed the ball past Hargraves with ten minutes remaining.

Hampsthwaite's joy was shortlived as Connolly restored Trojans lead within a minute. Constantine fed Dibb on the left and the young striker, now back to his best form, burst through and his near post cross was turned in by the alert Connolly.

Lofthouse put the result beyond doubt in injury time when he jinked his way through the home defence and his fierce drive beat 'keeper Marcus Black at his near post.

l Trojans are at home to runaway league leaders Harrogate Railway Reserves on Saturday, kick-off 2.15pm.

Trojans Reserves, whose game fell victim to the weather last week, travel to Harrogate to take on Unison, kick-off 2.15pm.

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