CHRIST CHURCH OB 0

Pool AFC 10

Pool kept the pressure on Hampsthwaite with this emphatic win over Christ Church Old Boys on Saturday. In front of a huge crowd at The Stray Pool turned in a perfect performance to overwhelm an already doomed Christ Church.

Silky, fast flowing football was the order of the day and pressure turned into goals after just five minutes.

The effervescent Dickinson lashed in a cross which was superbly dummied by Wilson for the rejuvenated Myers to finish with a left foot cracker.

Ingle, on a high after scoring his first goal in six years the previous week, inspired Pool to pile on the pressure with his mazy runs.

He put in a pin-point cross for Joyce to finish gleefully and the leading scorer added a further two to his tally to complete his hat-trick and take his season's tally to a record 65.

Field, who has the knack of scoring against Christ Church having netted a hat-trick in the previous encounter, scored twice as did skipper Matt Healey who marched majestically through to score his first and then back heeled his second in off the bar. Wilson notched his second making the half-time tally eight.

Field missed a chance to bag a hat-trick failing from the penalty spot.

The tally in this game took Pool's seasonal aggregate to 115 goals.

Keeper Winterburn reckons that he has finally hung up his boots after a 19 year career.

Pool now wait on Hampsthwaite's remaining results to see who lifts the title but it has been a superb season for Pool. They must now hope that Hampsthwaite slip up in their remaining games for Pool to become champions.

KIRK DEIGHTON 1

POOL AFC 8

This was a very special day for Pool AFC with their first team moving eight points clear at the top of the table and deadly striker Shaun Joyce broke a long standing club record for most goals in a season when he notched five to take his tally to 62.

The good news came thick and fast throughout the afternoon with not only Pool enjoying a massive win but also hearing that Burley Trojans had beaten second placed Hampsthwaite 3-1 and then unsung hero Lee Ingle stepped up to score the side's 100th league goal of the season from the penalty spot - his first goal in six years.

Pool totally destroyed Kirk Deighton Rangers and Joyce played a leading role with his five goals. The previous record stood at 58 and he has now moved it on to 62.

Pool started well and took an early lead when Carl Wilson slotted home . Pool sprayed the ball about and Taylor played some fantastic balls to the pacy Myers and the ever sharp Wilson.

Pool extended their lead with a close range header from Joyce and then he beat two defenders out wide before rounding the 'keeper for the third. Kirk Deighton pulled a goal back on half-time but Pool were not to be denied and the second-half was just blissful for those watching and playing.

Pool loooked the stronger and fitter side and Darren Myers attacked well on the right to set up Joyce for his hat-trick. The introduction of Dickinson and Evans for the last 20 minutes saw Pool strive for more goals and they were awarded the penalty which Ingle stroked home when Joyce was blatantly taken out.

Dickinson, looking sharp and lively on the left, did two defenders before slipping the ball to Taylor who slammed in the sixth goal. Dickinson again put the defenders into no-man's land and set up Joyce for an easy tap in. Joyce then added his fifth to finish off a wonderful performance.

Matt Healey was class at centre-back along with Graham Evans and Chris Tweedie, who showed maturity beyond his years. Field, returning after missing the Burley game, was sound and solid. Match point went to Shaun Joyce.

HAMPSTHWAITE 4

POOL AFC 3

POOL travelled to Hampsthwaite for a game both sides knew was likely to be the title decider. Despite having a number of regulars missing through injury Pool were confident and determined to repeat their early season success over their closest rivals.

However, their resolve was tested after just five minutes when Steve Winterburn, Pool's eccentric 'keeper, clumsily placed the ball into the path of the prowling Hampsthwaite striker and he finioshed with ease.

Pool attempted to fight back but were caught by a clever counter-attack and Hampsthwaite capitalised to convert a half chance with panache.

Pool, cheered on by their big following, started a spirited fightback and the impressive Dave Singleton rose high to powerfully head home from a corner.

The momentum continued and some clever build up play between Taylor and Joyce released the whippet-like Wilson and he scored with clinical efficiency.

At this point the home side looked jaded and a little dispirited.

The turning point came just before the break when a harmless looking free-kick from long range was misjudged by Winterburn and found its way into the net. Pool were forced into further changes after the break and were always vulnerable to Hampsthwaite's counter attacks.

Hampsthwaite slotted in a fourth goal before Pool threw everyone forward and with Singleton, Ingle, Joyce and Wilson all impressive it was only a matter of time before Carl Wilson scored his second with a quality drive.

Pool's fading hopes were finally dashed when the referee signalled the end of a pulsating game.

It was ironic that after a season in which he has hardly ever been off the scoresheet Joyce failed to score on his 33rd birthday.

Pool Reserves 8

St John Fisher 2

Promotion and second place were sealed for Pool Reserves when they gave a gritty performance and showed some clinical finishing against John Fisher.

After a slow start a pin-point through ball from Firth to Dickinson broke the off-side trap and Dickinson scored. He netted a second after good work by Graham to give a cushion at half-time.

Player-manager Phil Waite volleyed home from close range in the second-half and Chris Graham completed his hat-trick.

Good work by substitute Howden presented Graham with his final goal.

Dickinson also completed his hat-trick with a superb volley from Howden's cross.

Hat-trick hero Chris Graham's brother Rob then cleverly scored twice following his journey home from Aston University, Birmingham.

Graeme Evans capped some fine finishing with the goal of the night.

Match point went to Chris Graham and R Dickinson.

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