Baildon TRINITY.......3

SALT OB......................2

(after extra time)

This Wharfedale FA Airedale International Challenge Cup semi-final proved to be a real nailbiter with the result going right to the wire.

It was never a great game, with the players having to contend with a strong wind and a number of baffling decisions by the referee.

Defences were generally in control in the first-half and the spectators who had braved the icy conditions must have been surprised when the Old Boys took the lead.

Certainly the Baildon defence was surprised by an odd bounce of the ball and home goalkeeper Danny Milner was deceived by its flight as it found its way into the net. The goal was credited to Andy Crump.

Salts led by this score at the interval when Baildon brought off left-back Mark Spillsbury, who had been struggling with a rib injury, and brought on Ian Webb.

Baildon began to press forward and after failing to convert their pressure into goals finally equalised when a Nick James shot took a deflection into the net.

Danny Jowett and Simon Dawson worked hard in a midfield battle with Salts Richard Walker but the game entered injury time with extra-time on the cards.

However, the referee awarded a controversial penalty against Baildon right-back Steve Hiley, who was ruled to have handled as he got up from the ground in the corner of the penalty area.

Walker coolly put away the spot kick and it looked all over for Baildon.

However, the home side took off substitute Webb and switched to a back three, with substitute Chris Hawker sent on up front.

Within seconds, Hawker controlled a through ball and neatly slotted the equaliser home with what proved to be virtually the last kick of normal time.

Extra-time saw Baildon generally in control and striker Chris Marsden, who had proved a real handful throughout, won the match for Baildon with a left-foot cross-shot that screamed into the top corner of the net.

After that there was no way back for Salts. Marsden won the match point for Baildon.

In the final at Guiseley AFC on Easter Monday, April 16, Trinity will play Horsforth St Margaret's.(Kick-off 11 am).

WOODHOUSE HILL..........3

BAILDON TRINITY RES....1

Baildon totally outplayed their opponents, yet ended up losing in a game that illustrated just how funny a game is football. In the first 15 minutes Baildon had all the possession, yet Woodhouse scored from their only attack.

The pattern continued, but the home side increased their lead thanks to a misunderstanding and lack of confidence in the Baildon defence.

However, the visitors managed to get a goal back before the interval from a set piece. John North delivered a training ground corner right on to the head of Michael Haran, who duly delivered the goods.

But if Baildon thought they were on the way back, they were mistaken as the defence conceded a stupid goal within ten minutes of the re-start.

After this Baildon huffed and puffed in the home half but lacked activity and penetration in the 18 yard box.

Woodhouse defended in depth and well and Baildon could not convert their territorial supremacy into goals.

Trinity goalkeeper Steve Maslen did not have a save to make in the entire game yet had to pick the ball out of the net three times.

BAILDON TRINITY.....3

Bolton FC 92 ...........3

This was a see-saw Sunday Alliance match in which Baildon were never ahead but showed fighting qualities.

Bolton took the lead, only for Baildon to come back and level through Chris Hawker. Again the visitors went ahead and again Baildon retaliated, once more through Hawker.

The score stayed at 2-2 until the interval when it was anyone's match.

Bolton repeated the pattern of the first half and for the third time took the lead. However, Baildon refused to lie down and managed to score an equaliser through Oliver Atkinson.

Bolton are riding high in the league and this was a good performance by Baildon, with everyone playing their part in a solid team performance.

BAILDON TRINITY U-17......0

GLASSHOUGHTON...............9

In this League Cup match, a severely weakened Baildon Under-17 side succumbed to a goal avalanche.

However, the scoreline did not reflect the balance of play, as for periods of the game Baildon gave as good as they got.

The Glasshoughton finishing was clinical, though the Baildon goalkeeper did make a magnificent save from a penalty.

BAILDON TRINITY U-15..2

Skipton TOWN U-15......0

After a losing run on boggy pitches, Baildon Under-15s found conditions more to their liking in a game played in a sporting manner.

Both sides went for an early goal and it took a magnificent one-handed save by Baildon 'keeper Danny Morton to keep his side level.

A new look Baildon back four began to settle down and eventually a goal came. A fine inswinging corner from Calum Cullen was headed on by James Brown for midfielder Simon Malyon to hook on the volley into the corner of the net.

Baildon's confidence visibly grew and, despite a 15 minute blizzard, spectators were treated to a good game of football.

The score remained the same at half-time, when it was still anybody's game.

Conditions improved in the second-half and with Craig Renton and Nathan Barber in top form at the heart of the home defence, backed by the impressive Morton, Skipton were restricted to very few chances.

Baildon began to get on top and eventually a second goal came when top scorer Chris Reardon collected a through ball, showed his pace and slotted the ball home.

This was a paticularly fine defensive performance from Baildon, who recorded their first clean sheet of the season. Morton was named Baildon's Man-of-the-Match.