Airedale Men

Airedale Mens match with Chapeltown was postponed this week but the results elsewhere still favoured the Keighley-based side. Next week's home fixture against struggling Driffield is likely to see them pick up three points and David Browns must face Chapletown.

Skipton

Skipton faced third placed Acomb in very difficult conditions on Saturday. At one point the goals literally blew away and needed weighing down before the game could recommece.

The game was very tight and Acomb defended well as was expected. Skipton managed to gain an early advantage from their second short corner as Sarah Eastell smashed the ball in from close range.

Skipton kept applying the pressure but suffered as Acomb counter attacked and won a short corner. Poor clearing from the Skipton defence and confusion allowed a very weak shot to cross the line and level the scores. The wind continued to cause problems and make running difficult. A slick short corner move saw Jackie Abbot restore the lead which was short lived as Acomb won more short corners on the break. This time their move was well practised and left Mandy Booth little chance of saving. Half time came with the score 2-2.

The second half could not have started worse for the visitors. Acomb won an early corner and weak tackling allowed a very soft goal. Acomb had taken the lead for the first time and were formidable in defence, only venturing into the Skipton half on a handful of occasions. Fiona Wood narrowly missed for Skipton and with the time running out Mary Morris made a fabulous run through the middle of the Acomb players, beating four players before placing the ball past the keeper only be denied by a controversial umpiring decision. Apparently she had pushed the last defender while taking a shot with both hands on her stick.

Skipton were furious and the intense pressure that they put on gave the visitors several short corners. With less than a minute to go a well worked move created the last chance for captain Linda Stewart to salvage a point and keep up the challenge for the first division title.

Next week is a repeat of the local derby between Skipton and Bingley at marley.

Airedale Ladies

A local derby from Division Five between Airedale and Bingley seconds saw a weakened Airedale team put in an impressive performance. Bingley took the lead after 15 minutes after some quick passing at the edge of the D opened up the Airedale defence. Airedale settled and determined play from Karen Claydon set up Gaynor Pedley who placed a difficult shot passed the advancing keeper to level the scores.

Airedale put the ball in the back of the net a second time but were pulled back for an earlier infringement. The half time score was 1-1 and a fast second half produced some exciting play as Airedale began to dominate. A free hit on the edge of the D saw the roles in the earlier goal reversed, Gaynor Pedley, smashed in the ball for Karen Claydon to deflect it passed the keeper. Airedale grew in confidence and controlled most of the second half.

With minutes remaining confidence got the better of Airedale and their goal was left undefended with the entire team, except the keeper, pushing forward. The counter attack from Bingley produced the simplest of goals and a final score of 2-2.

Juniors

This Sunday Airedale under 16 boys take on Driffield, Ben Rydding and a Yorkshire Under 14 team at Selby. Training for juniors continues at Marley 9 to 10:30, all age groups are welcome.

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