THIRSK FALCONS 2

Pool AFC 1

THE race is hotting up for the Harrogate League Division One title and promotion spots with local teams very much to the fore. Burley Trojans currently lead the race with Pool and Ilkley right behind, both having sufficient games in hand to take over.

Bramhope meanwhile are virtually out of the race but can certainly take a hand in the proceedings having Pool to play twice while tonight, Thursday, Pool entertain Ilkley in a crucial game.

Following Pool's battling performance in the Wharfedale FA Challenge Cup on Thursday night Pool travelled to Thirsk with a side showing signs of tiredness.

This should not have been a factor given Pool's dominance in the league but playing uphill and against the wind in the first-half Thursday's game had taken its toll.

Thirsk played a long ball game and following a mix-up between central defenders Smithson and Graham and 'keeper Ed Neale Thirsk's centre-forward took the gift he was presented with to make it 1-0. Thirsk's second also came from a long ball forward.

The second-half saw Pool pressing and Carl Wilson nipped in to pull a goal back. Bad passing, below par performances and a lack of passion from Pool ensured Thirsk's win,

Pool are now no longer in command as the title race moves into the final furlong. Burley Trojans lead the way with 42 points from 19 games with Pool in fifth place with 35 points from 15 games. Hampsthwaite are obviously in a good position with 36 points from just 14 games.

Pool Reserves 1

Harold Styans 2

In Division Two Pool Reserves are clear leaders but still need to win their last match to be certain of promotion unless Bardsey A slip up. Killinghall Nomads are clear favourites for the title with several games in hand.

Pool needed to win the game against Styans to secure promotion and that should have been all the motivation needed. However, the visitors came with a five man defence and this tactic worked until Simon Malpass found the net directly from an inswinging corner.

The windy conditions and hard pitch did not suit Pool's normally fluent passing game and with everybody expecting something to happen on its own a half-time scoreline of 1-0 was always going to be hard to defend against the increasing wind.

The second-half continued in the same vein with the home side making too many simple errors and not showing the usual commitment to win at all costs.

The inevitable happened as a well-struck free-kick, needlessly conceded, flew into the net.

This stunned Pool but did not inspire any improvement and with the assistance of the wind Styans sealed the points with an inswinging corner into the top corner of the net.

This was a performance Pool will put behind them as the first disappointment of the New Year and they will go into their last game with the whole team determined to show what they are truly capable of. Match point was shared by Newbould and Ingle.

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