Pool AFC 4

SPA ATH 3

AN impressive ability to bounce back from defeat was demonstrated by Pool when they gained revenge over the team which had narrowly beaten them in the Divisional Cup.

They started with a passion reminiscent of William Wallace and his loyal army and soon had the startled Spa troops on the back foot. Joyce turned to strike the opening goal and the sorceror Outterside conjured up one of his spells to release Joyce for a sublime finish.

At half-time the wise and tactically astute Dennison rallied his Pool, troops and warned of the perilous danger that is complacency.

As if in tribute to their manager Pool scored a third goal with a stunning move straight from the kick-off. Joyce hit the ball long and wide to the electrifying Greenwood who sparked into a burst of lightening pace and squared the ball for the omnipresent Outterside whose shot was only cleared as far as the advancing Taylor who despatched his shot with customary style.

The complacency that Pool had been warned against began to creep in and Spa increased the pressure and amazingly levelled the scores in a 20 minute period.

The match then swung from end to end and chances were plentiful. Wilson ran at the heart of the defence and a mistimed tackle brought him down. With a win and an individual hat-trick at stake the pressure had onlookers covering their eyes but Joyce thrives on situations like this and hammered his spot kick home.

The final whistle was greeted with jubilance by the tired but satisfied Pool side who continue their pursuit of the league leaders Harrogate Railway.

Man-of-the-Match was shared by hat-trick hero Joyce and a resurgent Jamie Taylor.

Kirk Deighton....1

Pool Reserves.....1

In this dour mid-table battled there was as much interest in the traffic on the adjacent A1 as in the action on the park. Indeed a passing Safeway wagon was awarded match point!

Seriously, there was little match action to report but it did have its moments.

Pool opened the scoring when Tweedie's fine ball up the line put Waite through and his low cross was bravely headed home by Reddington.

The Deighgton equaliser came on the break when a speculative long shot sneaked just inside the post out of Winterburn's reach.

The second-half saw few chances but Winterburn did enough to put a Deighton forward off. Pool had the better of the chances, in particular a rasping left foot drive which the 'keeper brilliantly pushed to safety and a 20 yarder from Dobson which came back off the post. Midfield maestro Firth battled well to earn a share of the match point.

Beckwithshaw Res..3

Pool A.....................1

For 20 minutes Pool A matched the side from a division above them in this Supplementary Cup tie but in the run up to the end of the half gave away three goals due to individual defensive mistakes.

This did not reflect the way Pool had played in the first-half.

After the break Pool took the game to Beckwithshaw with the midfield of Groves, Ireland, Taylor and Kitchen influencing the game.

In the last 15 minutes Pool gained a consolation goal from Matt Trimnell.

Pool survived several more attacks and then hit back themselves in the last ten minutes but to no avail.

Mottram and Keddle came on but were unable to make any difference to the score.

Match point went to David Greaves for his 100 per cent effort.

Rawdon U-14 in semis

Rawdon U-14s...2

Railway..............1

IN this quarter-final re-play Rawdon Under-14s emerged triumphant after a slow start.

Railway took the lead but Rawdon hit back with Sowden and Mouttrie closing down quickly in midfield while Docherty and Scott were solid in defence.

In the second-half Mouttrie put an effort just over before a good move involving Wilkinson and Larkin saw Suggett equalise. Suggitt and Larkin had other chances before the break.

In the second-half Wilkinson almost lobbed the 'keeper and was involved again in putting Larkin through to score and put his side into the semi-finals.

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