Harlow Hill 3

Pool AFC 5

POOL sailed five points clear at the top of table with this emphatic win against early league leaders Harlow Hill.

Pool started the first-half in good style with their pacy front line causing all sorts of problems and they took an early lead with a great team goal. Field won the header in midfield and it fell to Wilson who flicked it to Joyce, whose first touch put Taylor through and he hammered the ball past the advancing 'keeper.

Pool continued to dominate but missed a couple of chances to finish the game.

Pool started the second-half well, playing up the slope and they soon killed off the home side with Carl Wilson outpacing the back four to round the 'keeper for number two. A third followed when Healey's through ball found Joyce who also rounded the 'keeper to tap home, much to the disgust of the watching Burley team - who came expecting an upset. This was never in doubt as Wilson scored again for an emphatic 4-0 scoreline and the departing Burley team knew that Pool weren't going to fold.

It was great to watch and Wilson completed a great hat-trick to put Pool in total control and well clear at the top of the league. Manager Denison brought on three substitutes for various reasons as the heat took it out of the players.

Harlow pulled one back with 10 minutes to go and then, to the disbelief of everyone present, scored a second which must have been three yards offside at least. Lee Ingle had a good game and Andy Greenwood was outstanding at sweeper again. Harlow got a deflected goal in injury time but this was very comfortable for Pool who now play Burley on Tuesday. Match Point was shared between Greenwood and Wilson, who were superb at both end of the pitch.

Bramhope 2

Pool AFC 2

POOL'S first team moved two points clear at the top of Division One with a game in hand but it could, and should, have been three as Pool dominated the game from start to finish with a decent performance in shocking conditions against a Bramhope side who were content to launch the ball 60 yards at every opportunity.

Pool started well and kept the ball down as they were playing into the wind and against a hard working and physical Bramhope side. Pool's early link up play was tidy and patient with Carlton and Taylor linking well and Myers penetrating well on the right.

Pool went behind against the run of play with a scrappy but fortunate goal.

The second-half was much the same story with Pool dominating and Bramhope struggling to get out of their own half, but the equaliser was a classic strike from Carl Wilson who swivelled in the box to fire home. This spurned Pool on and Joyce put Pool in front with and clinical finish. Another goal was needed to kill off this one-sided contest but every shot was reflected or rebounded to safety as Bramhope defended resolutely.

After playing very well with some tidy football Pool conceded a silly goal with just minutes to go when Ed Neale's super save was not rewarded when a lucky rebound was poked home, much to the delight of the home side.

Carlton, Greenwood and Singleton enjoyed sound games. Match Points: Carl Wilson.

A reminder to members that the dinner-dance and presentation evening on Friday, May 21. Guest speaker will be Graham (Grumbleweed) Walker. Please return your voting forms and dinner dance booking forms to Peter Wilkinson as soon as possible.

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