Pool................1

Burley............1

POOL needed to win this match to put distance between themselves and third placed Burley Trojans. They would have succeeded but for the linesman.

However, the keenly awaited contest between these two great local rivals lived up to expectations with a nail biting encounter. Whilst not a thriller in terms of goalmouth action, it was nevertheless an absorbing contest with neither side having any complaint about the final outcome.

It was an evenly contested affair with both sides having their fair share of chances but being unable to convert.

Pool immediately clicked into gear and went close to taking the lead in the second minute when Julian Horsley's cross caused confusion in the Trojans' defence and right-back Steve Owen headed narrowly wide of his own goal.

Trojans struggled to put together any pattern of play and were restricted to isolated forays into Pool territory.

Their best chance came when midfielder Dave McKain managed to spring the off-side trap but in rounding 'keeper Mark Allinson was driven wide and the chance was lost.

Burley's veteran centre-forward Martin Robinson saw the ball whipped off his toe as he was poised to convert Nick Quaife's intelligent pass and then strike partner Phil Constantine had a snap shot turned away by Allinson as Trojans began to show.

The home side, prompted by the influential Matt Healey in midfield, looked to have the upper hand. Despite their early territorial advantage however, they created little in the final third with the Trojans' defence again looking assured and 'keeper Chris Hargreaves able to deal comfortably with everything that came his way.

Ten minutes into the second- half Pool broke the deadlock.

A slick move down the left involving Dickinson and Joyce saw the latter put in a telling cross to the unmarked Graham, who swept the ball home from eight yards.

Burley's response was swift. Pool, having played the off-side trap to good effect, could only watch in disbelief as the linesman kept his flag tucked down his sock when centre- half Stuart Dibb threaded a pass through the Pool back line to put Constantine clear. The striker still had a lot to do and he controlled the awkwardly bouncing ball, rounded Allinson and then beat defender Lee Ingle before coolly slotting home.

Both teams continued to probe but neither could finish the chances that went begging.

Burley's Jonathan Lofthouse broke clear only to be denied by Allinson and Robinson saw his goalbound drive blocked by a defender.

All of a sudden the Pool defence looked vulnerable and they were rescued on more than one occasion by some generous off-side decisions from the match officials.

As the action became more frenetic the temperature began to rise. Quaife and Ingle were cautioned and both were fortunate to stay on the pitch following further indiscretions.

For Trojans match point was shared by Constantine and Lofthouse for their creativity and flair, particularly in the second-half.

Pool, having had five regulars missing from their starting line-up, still showed they are a team to be reckoned with and with more spirited performances like this their season is still very much alive. Match Point was shared by Healey and Singleton.

The happiest club following this result will be Kirkby Malzeard, who, having sneaked a 1-0 win at Tockwith, saw Pool and Burley, their main challengers, drop two points each.

l On Saturday Trojans are due to visit Bedale Town seeking a league double over the North Yorkshire side who they beat on The Rec only two weeks ago, kick-off 2.30pm.

A question mark still hangs over the fixture as a result of the ongoing foot and mouth situation and a final decision may not be taken until 72 hours before kick-off.

Pool Reserves' match at Killinghall was off due to the closure of the Killinghall Moor pitches due to foot and mouth precautions.

The A team match at home to Harrogate Unison was also called off as there was doubt as to whether Pool's riverside pitch could be used due to land adjoining having sheep on it during winter months. The club felt that until the situation was clarified they should err on the safe side.

Ensuing discussions with both Leeds Council and MAAF have now put the pitch in the clear.

The Council confirmed that as the access footpath does not cross grazing land it could be re-opened. MAAF said that as sheep had not been on the adjoining land for over a month and the landcould not be re-used until restrictions were lifted, there was no need to stop using the football pitch.

The club will obviously be keeping in touch with the necessary authorities so that any change in the guidelines can be quickly acted upon.

So this week looks better with two pitches available for home matches.

The first team and A team should be able to entertain Otley Town Reserves and Christ Church Old Boys respectively, although the A team may still be without a fixture due to Christ Church's Cup commitments, whilst the second team visit to Pannal Sports should go ahead as Harrogate Stray has no restrictions.

The Harrogate and District League are hoping to complete all league and cup competitions but are monitoring the situation with several grounds out of action.

Some clubs will need to play home games on opponent's grounds whilst clubs with two or more teams may play two home matches on one pitch with staggered kick-off times. These measures, along with evening matches during April and May, should, hopefully, enable all matches to be played.

Goodison

hat-trick

Trojans Res...........3

Yew Tree................1

Teenage striking sensation Gareth Goodison notched his seventh hat-trick of the season as Trojans Reserves completed the double over their neighbours and did their

title hopes a power of good in the process.

Goodison has now amazingly found the net in 14 consecutive games and his season's tally now stands at 35.

Yew Tree are one of only two sides in the division who can still catch Trojans so the result takes on added significance.

In the early stages it seemed that it might just be a rare bad day at the office for the leaders as they saw a cast iron penalty appeal turned down in the second minute when Goodison was floored by 'keeper Tony Kirk and then they fell behind on 15 minutes.

The defence was all at sea as the ball was delivered into the area and Ben Kelly had time and space to score past stranded 'keeper Michael Sant.

Goodison did eventually get a penalty verdict before half- time when he was brought down by centre-half Alan Wigglesworth and he picked himself up to calmly drive home the spot kick.

Trojans showed a vast improvement in the second period and Rob Wheeler was at the heart of most of their better moments. The young midfielder thoroughly deserved his match point and, should Trojans win promotion, he looks well equipped to hold his own at a higher level.

Goodison's second had a touch of good luck as his shot cannoned off the unfortunate Stuart Thompson and looped beyond Kirk.

The points were sealed when teenager Mark Carroll, enjoying only his second start in the side, unleashed a fierce drive that Kirk could only parry and the predatory Goodison pounced to net from an acute angle.

The Reserves' Spa Cup semi-final at Wellington on Saturday is now in doubt as their Darley-based opponents' ground is affected by the foot and mouth situation.

An alternative venue is currently being sought by both clubs to enable the tie to go ahead.