Addingham 4

Hellifield 3

DUE to the weather and the holiday period there had only been one league game in the entire Craven League over the last four weeks. In that game Addingham had destroyed Intake by 8-0 and had rightfully taken over at the top of the league.

Addingham were looking to consolidate that position against the division's under achievers Hellifield. With four ex-Gargrave players amongst their ranks the visitors would have been expected to be up challenging instead of languishing near the bottom.

For the first 15 minute one could have been forgiven for thinking it was still Christmas as Addingham were dishing out presents left, right and centre. By missing sitters at one end and defending like shop dummies at the other the game had a surreal feeling as Addingham found themselves 3-0 down with only a quarter-hour gone.

Barrow, Wild, Collins and Houlbrook all had good chances as Hellifield, unable to believe their luck, scored three goals with their first three efforts, to leave the home side bemused and shell-shocked. The need for drastic action wasn't really necessary, what was required was a tiny amount of composure that their overall ability deserved.

Addingham began to wake from their early slumbers and reduced the deficit when Wild latched on to Barrow's through ball and calmly slid the ball past the onrushing 'keeper. Almost immediately one could sense the fragility of the Hellifield player's confidence. Number six Clarke had been a rock in their defence, not giving the dangerous Barrow a single kick. Suddenly things began to change, Wild, Marriot, Collins and Barrow were ripping the Hellifield back line apart.

Addingham had pushed Boyce in to a now five-man midfield and were reaping the rewards. Collins thought he'd pulled back another but his stunning free-kick was brilliantly saved. Phil Smith and Danny Houlbrook also forced good saves as Hellifield clung on. Dickinson was now in total command at the back for Addingham and when Wild tapped in Collins's lovely cross just before the break the home side was now only one behind.

The mood in Addingham's dressing room at half-time was buoyant to say the least. The comeback was only half-way to completion and the desire was immense.

The second-half was one-way traffic right from the off. Gregg Palmer and Andy Collins were now winning every tackle and with Smith, Boyce and Houlbrook controlling the midfield time seemed to be the only factor.

Indeed, Hellifield were defending stoutly and with 30 minutes left Addingham made the change that swung the game. Houlbrook was replaced by John Cummings and his impact was as impressive as it was immediate.

Marriot and Boyce worked the ball down the left before a lovely interplay between Cummings and Marriot saw the substitute cut inside and from 30 yards hit a beauty right in to the top corner.

Parity may have been restored but with 15 minutes left Addingham had to find a winner.

They nearly succumbed to a sucker punch as Hellifield piled forward, and only a brilliant save from Addingham's number one Andy Dobson stopped them restoring their lead. Wild had a shot saved that Marriot then bundled over the line, but the referee halted Addingham's celebration for a dubious offside call.

By this stage Hellifield realised they had nothing to lose by throwing men forward and the game became the most end to end match seen for years. Addingham, desperate for a winner, and Hellifield trying to recreate the first 15 minutes. Both 'keepers were on top form or the score could have been 8-8.

As the clock ticked down Addingham's determination paid off. They counter-attacked superbly down the right with Simon Collins. He drilled in a shot that the 'keeper could only parry into the path of Cummings, who smashed it home to complete the most dramatic of comebacks.

The Hellifield players fell to their knees in despair, a three-goal lead had been eradicated and they had been able to do nothing about it. Match Point for Addingham went to Jamie Barrow who despite not scoring showed himself to be a real team player as well as devastating individual talent.

l This Saturday Addingham are away to Oxenhope in the cup quarter-finals. Players meet at The Swan at 12.30pm.

Settle Utd.................0

Addingham Res........3

ADDINGHAM Reserves made it four wins in their last five games when Settle were blown away in stormy conditions. Sergio Galasso was the man who inspired Addingham with two classic strikes as they despatched Settle into sixth place in the table.

Despite the atrocious weather conditions the match started at a furious pace with both sides trying to stamp their authority. Within the first ten minutes Cooper in the Settle goal saved well from Adam Tunney whilst Andy Phillips made a superb clearance under his own crossbar to deny McVey after his wind assisted cross has deceived Collins in the Addingham goal.

There was little to split the sides as the midfield battle cancelled out any creative football. Richard Campbell however had other ideas and he broke swiftly from left-back and some excellent one touch football saw Campbell, Bates and Johnson link superbly to find Galasso in space and his first time shot was beaten out by the 'keeper only to return to Galasso whose left foot drive rattled the post before flying into the net, Addingham continued to push forward with Parker and Sunderland going close but they had to be alert to the counter attack and a last ditch tackle by Renton and a good save by Collins kept them in front.

With five minutes of the half remaining Addingham increased their lead as Jez Parker ghosted past three defenders to deliver a pin-point pass to Galasso ands his volley struck a defender before leaving the 'keeper rooted to the spot.

Facing the near gale force wind in the second-half Addingham knew that they would have to soak up the pressure and this they did. Addingham then broke swiftly and Scott Walder found Tunney in the centre circle. Great vision by Tunney found Galasso in space and the inch perfect cross allowed Galasso, seeing the defence struggling to get back, to deliver a first time cross which Parker buried from four yards.

Settle to their credit played with pride and passion and for long periods of the second-half had Addingham under the cosh but they could not find a way past the back four.

In the end this was a good away win for Addingham who gave a very solid performance. Match point went to 16 years-old Richard Campbell who with more performances like this will play at a higher level.

l On Saturday Addingham Reserves entertain high flying Bradley hoping to defend their unbeaten record. Team from - G Collins, D Wells, A

Phillips, S Walder, R Campbell, M Silson, P Bates, M Kernick, D Bates, P Sunderland, J Parker, G Johnson, S Galasso, S Vickers, D Kelly, D Williams. (Meet at 12.45 pm).

Guiseley lick their wounds

GUISELEY....................1

HUCKNALL TOWN.......2

THE big, raw-boned lads of Hucknall came to Nethermoor to give no quarter and Guiseley were left defeated and licking their wounds after failing to create any real clear cut chances.

It was a poor start for Guiseley when they lost midfielder Lee Poole who was stretchered off with an ankle injury after just eight minutes.

Guiseley were well on top in terms of possession but were unable to penetrate a dour defence and they lost the aerial battle in no uncertain terms to a big side.

The crowd knew they were not in for a pretty game with Hucknall renowned for their route one approach and so it proved and a whistle strewn first-half ended goalless.

Guiseley 'keeper James Shutt had kept Guiseley level with three excellent saves while for Guiseley Simon Parke had an effort blocked on the line.

The second-half had just opened when Guiseley took the lead through Simon Ireland who was having his first start since breaking his ankle back in September. Hucknall levelled when substitute Darrall Rankin lifted his shot over a hesitant Shutt and a couple of minutes later went ahead Tomlinson drove the ball home.

Guiseley will be looking for a quick return to form with the FA Trophy game at Marine looming on Saturday.

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