Pool AFC..............2 SPA ATHLETIC..............1

HAVING not played for three weeks Pool entered this game knowing that the three points were essential to keep up with the leaders Kirby Malzeard.

The first-half was a dreary affair with little flowing football on a pitch which could only be described as a quagmire. The only shining light from the first 45 minutes was the non-stop, all action attitude of inspirational captain Matt Healey. His flick from a Joyce corner allowed Andy Staniforth to scramble the ball in for the opener only for Pool to concede an equaliser within five minutes.

A half-time roasting from physio Andy Collett sparked Pool into playing more like their best and a ball from Willoughby was played in to Healey. He played it on for Joyce who hit the ball into the top corner from 25 yards.

Pool continued to press and they created chance after chance but poor finishing stopped them from increasing the lead. Match point went to Staniforth and Healey.

Rawdon....................5 POOL RESERVES.....................1

After the previous week's vital six pointer in the relegation zone against Dalton this visit to Rawdon was just as important. They too languish in the Harrogate League First Division basement but Pool's cause was not helped when their 'keeper and entire back four completed their day long Christmas bash just 12 hours before kick-off and it showed.

Poor finishing whilst Pool were on top gave Rawdon all the inspiration they needed to take a comfortable lead. Phil Waite's penalty gave Pool some hope but they never looked like pegging back the home side.

Pool must now re-group and get their attitude and tactics right. Their tendency to play the off-side trap cost them dear - not for the first time.

FRANKLIN TROPHY

The Franklin Trophy in which the Marrieds played the Singles on Boxing Day ended with honours even at 4-4. The goals were scored by Paul Wilkinson, Chris Graham, Andy Graham, Matt Healey, Graham Dobson, Andy Tye and Steve Carter.

Harold Styans.....................3 Pool A...........................0

AFTER a two week break Pool A started well with a flowing move down the left. Dickinson and Taylor combined well but Steval could not quite reach the cross. Styans began to apply pressure and the back four of Keddle, Forbes, Jones and Taylor had to defend strongly to keep the home side at bay.

Wilkinson in goal made some fine stops and Forrest had a good effort end up in the side netting as Pool tried to play football on a good surface.

Pool conceded a sloppy goal mid-way through the half following poor marking at a corner.

They conceded a second just before the break as they waited for the off-side.

In the second-half Pool took the game to Styans with the midfield of Forrest, Bolton, Dickinson and Howden working hard and Cowgill showing some good touches up front.

Pool should have pulled one or two goals back in the second-half with Forrest, Steval and Cowgill all going close but Styans sealed things with a third goal near the end. Match point was shared by Cowgill and Keddle.