INTAKE 1

Addingham 5

With their closest rivals involved in cup games, Addingham travelled to Intake looking to stretch their lead at the top of Division One.

This they duly did in fine style on a terrible pitch in atrocious conditions.

The Jamie Barrow and Brian Wild strike partnership that has gained so many plaudits already this season was again on top form but some of Addingham's defending, particularly that of Andy Collins and Richard Mills, was absolutely superb.

Marshalled by skipper Graham Dickinson and Gregg Palmer, the divisions' meanest defence was once again the backbone of a winning side.

Scoring goals for fun at one end may be important but it is also vital to defend with equal quality, something Addingham have the capability to do.

The wet and windy conditions coupled with the boggy pitch that cut up badly, meant any real quality was at a premium.

In truth, Intake knocked the ball about well but they always looked suspect when Addingham had possession. As early as the 6th minute, Addingham took control. Barrow slipped his marker and drove in a low shot, the 'keeper failed to hold the ball and Brian Wild was first to react as he gobbled up the rebound to put the visitors ahead.

Playing down the slight slope Addingham were under orders to put Intake to the sword while the pitch was still reasonable early on. This they duly did, Boyce, Houlbrock and Wild all going close as Intake struggled to hang on.

With 20 minutes gone, Simon Collins doubled the trouble for the home side with a sweet strike after a lovely move.

Keeper Dobson bowled the ball out to Andy Collins who played a one-two with Boyce before sliding a ball through to Wild, he in turn instantly flicked the ball to Collins who roared in on goal.

The 'keeper charged out and looked to have narrowed the angle but Collins showed real composure and slid the ball past the helpless 'keeper to give Addingham a real platform.

The Intake midfield was playing some good football but with a toothless attack that never really troubled Andy Dobson and a poor rearguard, it meant that Addingham were always in control.

Up to that point, Peter Smales had been fairly quiet on the left wing, but as he began to come into it more, Addingham's dominance grew and when Barlow collected Smales's through ball, the linesman's flag stayed down despite the off-side appeals and the young hit man coolly slotted home.

As half-time approached Addingham then got a beauty. Collins and Wild linked up down the right, Wild found himself up against the full-back and showed all his experience as he casually rolled the ball through his opponent's legs and raced down the touchline,

Wild looked up and despatched a peach of a cross to the far post where Jamie Barrow soared above the centre back to head home.

With a four-goal half-time lead, the visitors could be forgiven for taking it easy in the second-half but this was far from the case.

Barrow and Wild both squandered one-on-one chances and Daniel Houlbrook only lacked a finish on what would have been a stunning run. When Intake did pull one back it did have a large slice of luck.

The inswinging corner was moved wickedly by the wind and Dobson was virtually helpless as the ball swung viciously inside the nearpost.

Addingham quickly restored their four goal margin as Barrow netted his fourth hat-trick of the season and took his total to 21, having broken the off-side trap again he raced on goal, and skipped past the 'keeper to leave a simple tap.

With nothing to lose, Intake piled men forward and virtually camped in the Addingham half for the last 20 minutes.

That Addingham did not concede was down to doggedness of their back four. Time and time again Dickinson, Palmer, Mills and Collins were outstanding in the tackle when any errors could have been proved fatal.

A spectator he may have been for long periods but Andy Dobson pulled off the save of the season from the Intake skipper's dipping drive.

Their efforts were well rewarded by the victory that puts Addingham three points clear at the top having played a game more than their nearest rivals.

Addingham Res............2

Intake Res.....................3

AFTER their best performance of the season against McBrides last week, Addingham Reserves gave their worst performance of the season.

They threw away a two goal lead, to crash out of the League Cup against bottom club Intake, and thus evaporated any chance of silverware for the Reserves this season.

Along with losing their unbeaten home record, manager Darren Bates now has to rally his troops and try to string another good run together to grab the second automatic promotion spot.

After the referee refused to play on the Stockinger Lane pitch due to waterlogging ,he agreed to play on the infamous slope.

However, Addingham began well enough with Parker, Mitchell and Galasso all guilty of missing chances when composure was required instead of power.

Going down the slope, Addingham were dominating the proceedings but the final touch was eluding them.

They were rewarded for their persistence though, when on twenty minutes they took the lead when Galasso's long throw got caught up in the near gale-force winds which left the Intake keeper with the final touch from a yard out.

Although Addingham were dominating proceedings, they were still only firing on two cylinders, and with Intake looking dangerous on the break, Addingham had to cautious whilst forcing play.

With ten minutes of the first half remaining, Addingham went two up when Galasso grabbed his second after good build up play involving Bates, Sunderland and Parker.

Intake gave Addingham warning of what was in store when on the stroke of half time, Collins in the Addingham goal produced a great double save to deny Mcuey and then Ward.

Intake began the second half well, forcing Addingham back into their own half.

Walder and Phillips, supported well by Campbell and Wells, defended stoutly, but with the Addingham midfield pushing on, Intake were finding success as Addingham seemed happy to let their 'keeper and defence do the work.

It was no surprise when Intake caught them on the break and punished Addingham to the full when they were caught five on three.

Mcuey linked well with strike partner Ward, and sent a screaming shot which Collins could only parry onto the bar.

Luckily for Intake the ball fell at the feet of Pearson who tapped into an empty net.

Intake sensing they were back into it piled on the pressure as Addingham defended in numbers.

Then on the hour, Campbell gave away a free kick in what seemed a harmless position far over on the right wing.

What followed was a sight to be seen, as when the free kick came in, Collins in the Addingham goal dropped a massive clanger when trying to catch the ball with wet gloves, he bundled the ball over his own line to allow Intake to draw level.

Pushing for the winner and trying to push the Intake onslaught back, Addingham took off the influential Wells and reverted to a 3-5-2 formation.

However, the plan totally backfired when within five minutes they went 3-2 down.

Dodsworth got behind Campbell and fired in a shot, which took a deflection off Walder, and Collins acrobatically saved twisting in the air, but could not hold the ball and was unceremoniously bundled over the line by Pearson.

Unbelievably for Addingham the goal was allowed to stand when the player had, without a doubt, played before the ball.

Addingham with only eight minutes left tried desperately to grab an equaliser, but it was all a little too late as Addingham ran out of time.

Match point went to player manager Darren Bates who commented after the match "Players should concentrate on the basics and hard work instead of believing in their own press and trying to be superstars."

On Saturday Addingham Res revert to their league programe when they entertain high-flying Bronte Wanderers as they try to maintain their unbeaten home record in the league.

The team will be selected from - G Collins, D Wells, R Campbell, S Walder, M Silson, M Kernick, A Phillips, D Bates, J Parker, P Sunderland, S Galasso, G Johnson, D Kelly, S Vickers, P Bates, D Williams. (Players meet at the Stockinger Lane Ground at 12.45pm, 2pm kick-off).

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.