Great victory for Pool

POOL'S excellent start to the season continued with this great victory over a determined and gritty Thirsk side.

Pool started well and put Thirsk on the back foot with their pace and their accurate passing.

They almost opened the scoring when Taylor's determined run ended with a great 25 yard strike which hit the inside of the post and then bounced to safety.

Pool's midfield was working extremely hard with Matt O'Grady and Andy Greenwood prompting play and Matt Healey and Lee Ingle looking solid and committed.

Pool's attacking play deserved some reward and it came after half an hour. Taylor's inswinging corner was powerfully met by the tigerish Field and he buried his header to justify Pool's dominance.

The second goal was not long coming and it was earned by Carl Wilson's great solo run which ended in him being felled. Shaun Joyce slammed in the penalty to put Pool in a commanding position at half-time.

The second-half started with Thirsk more potent but they could not contain Pool's lively front line.

Shaun Joyce cleverley put O'Grady in to net the third and with Pool's back four solid the home side had a solid base to work from.

Field fed Joyce and he had only one thing on his mind as he rifled home from 18 yards.

The football being played at this stage was delightful with Thirsk being pulled all over the place.

The firth goal came when Wilson flicked the ball to Taylor and in a one-on-one with the 'keeper he stroked the ball confidently home.

'Thirsk gained a scant consolation and were well beaten on the day by a confident Pool side.

Healey again played well as did Ingle who is getting better with each game.

Match point went to Field who tackled well and got up and down the pitch well.

Pool Reserves 2 St John Fisher 1

Pool Reserves kicked-off this Second Division encounter on a pitch where the mud appeared to want to stick to everything.

Despite the surface Pool started brightly with some crisp passing which left St John Fisher in a spin.

Wilby and Healeas battled in the centre and fed Myers and Tweedie down the channels and it seemed only a matter of time before the goals started to flow.

Fisher to their credit hung on but did eventually yield when an Evans ball into the box found the ever determined Graham whose challenge allowed the ball to fall to Waite who picked his spot to put Pool ahead.

With chances going begging Pool could not extend their lead and against the run of play t Fisher scored in their only attack of the half.

The second-half once again saw Pool camped in the Fisher half with the occasional Fisher attack being soaked up by the well organised back four with consumate ease.

Pool knew they deserved to win this match but with the second-half drifting away doubts started to creep in. Finally Waite was once again put through by Graham and he hammered the ball in with such force that the hapless 'keeper could only parry in into the net.

The remainder of the half saw Pool pressing to extend their lead but finally they had to settle for a 2-1 win.

Comedy moment of the match was provided by Howden who was seemingly tackled by an umbrella as he sprinted down the line! This left Pool a little vulnerable as everyone was reduced to tears of laughter for a while. Match point was shared by Evans and Wilby.

Ripon Red Arrows 5 Pool A 7

Pool A continued their recent run of good form with a third successive victory.

From the outset Pool dominated and produced good efforts from Firth and Reddington. However, against the run of play, Red Arrows took the lead on the counter attack.

Pool responded well with sustained pressure and they netted twice in a five minute spell through Trimnell and Wilkinson.

Red Arrows soon pulled a goal back to level at 2-2.

At this stage Pool had control with good work from all the side.

Following a flowing move initiated by Forrest and including Wilkinson, Firth and Trimnell, a third goal was scored when Firth produced a clincal header at the far post.

An own goal took Pool to 4-2 at the break.

From the start of the second-half Pool looked like scoring with every attack with efforts from Wood and Trimnell going close.

Following good work by Dickinson down the left a pin-point cross found Trimnell who slotted in his second.

Soon after Wood pounced on a weak back pass to round the 'keeper and score the sixth Pool goal.

Red Arrows netted a spectacular own goal to put Pool further ahead at 7-2.

However, a 20 minute period saw Red Arrows claw three goals back but it was a little too late. The eventual scoreline flattered Red Arrows.

Match point was shared by P Hall and M Trimnell.

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