Trojans beat Ilkley

Ilkley 1

BURLEY Trojans maintained their recent domination of local rivals Ilkley in a hard-fought encounter on Thursday.

This was the third meeting between the sides this season and Ilkley have yet to come out on top. However, much more important for Trojans were the three priceless points which enabled them to leapfrog their neighbours and reclaim top spot.

Following their recent cup disappointments it was important for Trojans to get back to winning ways and again they were forced to do without a number of key players. Ilkley dominated the early stages however despite their territorial advantage they were unable to create any clear cut chances. Burley 'keeper Chris Hargreaves dealt comfortably with a number of long range efforts and he was ably assisted by a couple of timely interventions by Ivan Doherty and Jamie Davey.

When Ilkley did break clear Chris Lockwood made a last ditch tackle to prevent them from going ahead.

Ilkley finally took the lead with ten minutes of the half remaining. A left wing free-kick was floated in and the Ilkley forward was allowed time and space to send a glancing header into the corner of the net.

Trojans were stung into action and were level within five minutes. Following a neat left wing move Steve Hitchen slid the ball to Chris Connelly and from his deft flick stand-in striker Rob Browne lashed the ball home.

The game became increasingly scrappy in the second-half with chances few and far between. With an hour gone Trojans grabbed what turned out to be the winner. Connelly's near post corner was not cleared and when the ball ran loose young striker Stuart Dibb pounced to drive the ball home through a crowded goalmouth.

Trojans were able to hold out for the remainder of the half without too many scares to claim the points.

Kirk Deighton 2

Burley Trojans 6

A resurgent Trojans made it two league wins in 48 hours to consolidate their position at the top of the First Division. With Pool, Ilkley and Harlow Hill all slipping up Trojans took full advantage with a convincing victory.

Playing their fourth ganme in eight days Trojans overcame battle fatigue and raced into a three goal half-time lead.

The prolific Stuart Dibb gave Trojans the lead tapping into an empty net after Rob Browne had flicked on Phil Dodsworth's long throw. Dibb was left with another simple finish when the ball ran loose following Browne's challenge on the 'keeper. Jon Lofthouse then added a third with a neat finish to put Trojans in control.

The lead could easily have been extended but for Dibb repeatedly falling into the home side's off-side trap being caught out on no less than 16 occasions.

Peter Sumner showed the way after the break when he broke clear to extend the lead.

The home side pulled a goal back when centre-half Davey sent a back header over his own 'keeper for a spectacular own goal. Slack defending then allowed Kirk Deighton to reduce the arrears further.

There was still time for Dibb to complete his hat-trick - his third of the season - and an even more stunning goal from the home centre-half took Trojans to 6-2.

Hargreaves picked up match point for a string of fine saves. The big 'keeper has been a key factor in Trojans' success this season, not only for his excellent shot stopping but also for the way in which he commands his area.

l On Saturday Trojans entertain bottom club Kirkby Malzeard and will be looking for three points to maintain their title challenge.

Trojans Reserves 2

Red Arrows 2

The Reserves completed their league programme and extened their unbeaten run to four games to end their season in positive style. In doing so they managed, for a second week running, to throw a spanner in the works of promotion chasing opponents.

Trojans got off to a dreadful start when a howler from 'keeper Stuart Forrest gifted Red Arrows their first goal. Attempting to gather a soft shot Forrest allowed the ball to squirm out of his grasp and over the line.

Worse was to come for Forrest when he was caught off his line with a 35 yard shot. Trojans re-grouped and with Tim Fendyke and Iain Gibbons influential in midfield they dragged themselves back into the game.

Fendyke fired over from the edge of the area and then centre-half Martin Robinson's volley was just too high from a James Goodison corner.

Trojans reduced the arrears just before the break with an excellent goal. Full-back Russell Peaker overlapping on the right turned his marker inside out before delivering a near post cross which Fendyke drilled home.

Playing with wind advantage in the second-half Trojans got on top and the visiting 'keeper was tested on a number of occasions. Young Rob Wheeler shot just over before Trojans grabbed their equaliser the ball being scrambled in at the second attempt.

Trojans were denied a winner when Forrest made ammends for earlier errors by going walkabout and dribbling into the Red Arrows' half. His through ball was latched onto by Robinson who calmly lobbed the 'keeper only to see the goal ruled out for off-side.

With Robinson and Steve Nelson standing firm at the back Trojans were never seriously troubled and were good value for their point.

Trojans Reserves end their season comfortably in mid-table which is a creditable achievement following last season's promotion but the side is still short of a couple of quality players to be able to challenge for honours next season.

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