Addingham 5

Bedale Town 3

Addingham got their Division One campaign off to a flying start with this dramatic comeback against Bedale. Following promotion Addingham were looking for a good start but what they got was the worst start for a long while.

Bedale kicked-off and took a first minute lead. From that point on it was all Addingham and when Si Collins fed Perkins wide right he drove into the box and unleashed an unstoppable shot to restore parity.

Bedale were reduced to counter attacking and they did this to great effect when Gibb seized on a loose ball 25 yards out and drilled a sweet low shot into the bottom corner. Addingham were dominating the play but with the two main strikers, Barrow and P Marriot absent Si Collins and Sergio Galasso were getting little change from the two giant centre-backs. With the half drawing to a close Bedale added a third goal, Hardings long punt upfield falling to Harker who was a good five yards off-side. The unsighted referee waved play on and Harker finished well despite the Addingham protests.

Manager Ridley gave his side a well deserved rollicking at the break, the two small strikers were being fed high balls that they had little chance of controlling, added to this Addingham were feeling aggrieved at the off-side but all this had to stop if they were to make their dominance pay off.

Straight from the re-start Addingham began to battle with a renewed vigour, the passes were kept shorter and lower and they started to stretch Bedale to much better effect.

The 17 year-old Ross Kennedy, making his first team debut, was pulled back in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Si Collins stroked the penalty home to start the comeback. Bedale were looking rattled and when the impressive Galasso slipped his pass to Collins his deft left foot touch outfoxed the 'keeper and Addingham were level. The respites were short lived as Addingham had the bit between their teeth and were not about to settle for a draw. A long throw by Cummings is as good as a corner and when Bedale left Si Collins unmarked at the far post Cummings picked him out and the diminutive striker headed home to put Addingham ahead.

Bedale now had nothing to lose, having let a two goal lead evaporate they tried to throw men forward and panic Addingham's back line but A Collins, Wells and T Marriot were inspirational leaving 'keeper Dobson with very little to do.

Another Addingham attack saw the 'keeper clear 45 yards to Cummings who, with the 'keeper stranded, volleyed straight back and the ball looped before clipping the top of the bar denying Cummings a wonder goal.

With five minutes left Si Collins wrapped up a magnificent personal display. With the ball at his feet there are few better players and he showed this as he spun his marker and fired his shot across the bewildered 'keeper.

The manner of the fightback added to the excellent football made this win even more impressive .

l On Saturday Addingham are away to Harlow Hill, all players meet at the Swan at 1pm.