Trojans 3

Beckwithshaw 2

Burley Trojans at last showed some of their traditional fighting spirit to overcome their physical opponents and take three much needed points.

With only six points separating the six clubs immediately above the drop zone the win lifts Trojans three places but still leaves them with a lot of hard work to secure Premier League survival.

The home side surged into the lead in the 20th minute when skipper Nick Quaife outjumped the Saint's defence at the far post to head home Chris Connolly's corner. Within five minutes the visitors were level when Trojans failed to clear the danger and the ball was scrambled home. Some of the visitors behaviour was less than saintly and the lively Connolly was laid out in an off the ball incident which went undetected by the official. Little did they know how Connolly would exact his own brand of revenge after the break.

Midway through the second-half Connolly restored Trojan's lead with a deft header from Jonathan Lofthouse's pinpoint cross. The home side's inability to defend a lead, a constant thorn in their side this season, came back to haunt them as Saints levelled for a second time within a minute. A mix-up in the Trojan's defence between Chris Hargreaves and Chris Lockwood ended with the normally reliable 'keeper spilling the ball to leave an easy tap in.

Trojans poured forward in search of the winner and Stuart Dibb, despite neat approach play, showed his current lack of confidence in front of goal in a number of occasions. Dibb did have a big part in Trojans winning goal when, with seconds remaining, his knockdown was driven goalwards by Man of the Match Quaife. A Saints defender on the line was only able to keep the ball out using his hand for a clear penalty. Surprisingly the referee chose not to dismiss the defender. However, it mattered little as Connolly stepped up to have the last laugh, coolly sending the 'keeper the wrong way from the spot.

l Trojans have another home encounter with fellow strugglers Pannal Sports on Saturday, kick-off 2.00pm.

Thirsk Res............2

Trojans Res..........2

Burley Trojans Reserves' ground out an impressive point at table-topping Thirsk and in doing so did a big favour for both themselves and the chasing pack.

Trojans still trail Thirsk by nine points but with six games in hand. The biggest fear for Trojans, still involved in three cup competitions, is the potential fixture congestion which seems inevitable come at the end of the season.

The visitors got off to the worst possible start when, inside the first minute, Thirsk caught them cold and Andrew Hawke was left unmarked at the far post to score. The home side dictated play for much of the first-half and Trojans were in danger of being overrun and 'keeper Richard Lord was grateful to see a header rebound off the inside of a post and into his arms. It was against the run of play when plucky Trojans managed to level. John Henderson, enjoying his first tart in the side, made a surging run down the right and his low cross was turned into his own net by a Thirsk defender. Central defender Martin Stockdale almost gave Trojans the lead, heading powerfully over from Richard Wood's measured free-kick and Matt Hawnt fired over following a good move as the visitors got back into the game.

In fact, Trojans took the lead midway through the second-half following a well worked move. James Goodison's near post corner was flicked on by Hawnt and Stockdale controlled the ball on his chest before drilling an unstoppable shot past the 'keeper from 10 yards to open his account for the club.

Trojans survived a heated penalty appeal and Lord pulled off a series of fine saves and, just when it looked like it might be their day they conceded a free-kick 25 yards out with 10 minutes remaining. The impressive Nell Clarke, who had been at the heart of most of Thirsk's best moves, stepped up to rifle the ball past the wall and beyond Lord's despairing dive, although the big 'keeper did get a hand to the ball.

Even then Gareth Goodison could have won it for Trojans when he broke clear of the home defence only to see the 'keeper save his goal-bound effort. The young striker picked up Match Point for foraging up front, which along with his brother James, unsettled the home defence. Trojans were also heartened by the return from long-term injury of Steve Hitchen, who made a cameo appearance as a late substitute.

l On Saturday Trojans make the short trip to Second Division Otley Town 'A' for a Supplementary Cup-tie, kick-off 1.30pm.

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