Addingham win league cup

Addingham..............2

Addingham produced a grand finale to their season when after returning to the Craven Premier League at the first attempt on Saturday. On Monday evening they lifted the league cup for the second time in three years with a battling performance against a determined Skipton town.

In front of a huge crowd Addingham began tentatively as Skipton flew out of the traps and let Addingham know they were in for a Titanic struggle. On a bobbly pitch conditions underfoot were difficult as players were caught out by the uneven bounce. Skipton on the other hand were using their aerial advantage to good use and Addingham had to defend sternly, but luckily for Addingham, Skipton found Graham Dickenson and Lenny Palmer in impressive form at the back, which left Andy Dobson in the Addingham goal virtually redundant. After a nervous opening twenty minutes being on the back foot, the controlled one touch football that has seen them rise back into the premier league began to become the deciding factor as the cutting edge began to show in Addingham. With Phil Smith and Jon Cummings pulling the strings in the centre of the park, wingers Simon Collins and Tim Marriott began to terrorise the Skipton backs. Chances fell to both Jamie Barrow and Brian Wild, but on each occasion were denied by the brave goalkeeping of Mark Jolly. Realising that Addingham's wingmen were the danger, Skipton quickly stifled the threat as they found that if they passed one man, the Skipton backs were immediately on them. As they went in goal-less at half time it was probably a true reflection on the match. After a dressing down at half time by manager Mark Ridley, a transformed Addingham began the second half in impressive form. With their first attack Tim Marriott's curling cross was met full on by Brian Wild only to clear the crossbar by inches. Mills and Marriott's link-up play down the left flank was causing Skipton serious problems. The gaps that weren't there in the first half were now beginning to appear as first Simon Collins then Jamie Barrow both had goal-bound shots blocked. It was all one-way traffic as Addingham pushed for the opening but they had to be cautious to the counter as on the hour they were caught cold, but thankfully Andy Dobson pulled off a terrific save at full stretch to keep the scores level. But finally after 70 minutes Addingham got the breakthrough when Jon Cummings cleverly switched the run of play to find andy Collins streaking down the right flank. Collins showing experience beyond his years found his brother Simon, who fired in a first time cross, which had the Skipton defence at sixes and sevens as Jamie Barrow showed his predator instincts and smashed in a spectacular volley from ten yards. It was time to go for the jugular as seeing Skipton were reeling, Addingham upped the tempo and went into overdrive. Skipton were chasing shadows as Addingham exposed the cracks in their defence again and again so it was no surprise when ten minutes from time Addingham doubled their lead and finally put paid to Skipton's resistance when Phil Smith brushed aside three challenges before unleashing a 35yard screamer, which Jolly could only parry onto his own crossbar, with the rebound falling to Jamie Barrow who duly nutmegged the recovering keeper from six yards to grab his second goal of the match. Addingham were now coasting and began to put on a show for their supporters. Much to the annoyance of the Addingham bench, but with two minutes left Brian Wild's defence-splitting pass put Simon Collins clean through, but as he entered the area he was scythed down by the Skipton keeper.

The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot but the normally effective Barrow put his strike wide.

At the final whistle the celebrating Addingham fans went wild, but there was one final twist to the plot at the presentation ceremony when Addingham manager invited mascot Lee Parker up to lift the trophy for his team.

There wasn't a dry eye to be seen as it was a fitting tribute as young Lee has to have a major operation in a couple of weeks time.

Phillip Smith has called time on a long and distinguished career for Addingham. He has played for Addingham since his junior days and has called it a day after suffering re-occurring ankle injuries and will be sorely missed next season when Addingham mount their Premier League challenge.

On a more sombre note, Addingham wore black arm bands for the Cup Final as a mark of respect for John Readshaw who sadly passed away earlier that day.

John, who saved Addingham Football Club from folding six years ago, was the man behind the scenes at both the cricket and football clubs. A major sponsor of both he will be greatly missed by both clubs. Addingham Football Club would like to extend their deepest sympathy to John's family and would like to dedicate their victory to John's memory.

Addingham Res.......5

Intake.....................1

AS fellow promotion candidates struggled last week, Addingham Reserves made it three wins in a week to maintain their 100 per cent home record and thus move into third place.

Addingham made only one change, with Richard Campbell returning to the heart of the defence and started brightly with Brendan Kelley striking the bar inside 60 seconds. But Intake looked confident in the midfield. As Addingham began to struggle Intake had long periods encamped around the Addingham area but found Collins in resolute form. Between the sticks, but true to form when Addingham are under pressure, they found their form and took the lead on 15 minutes.

After Galasso was scythed down on the area, Simon Collins's resulting free kick was too hot to handle for the 'keeper, with Darren Bates administrating a Van Basten-like volley from five yards to send the large crowd wild.

Intake came back at Addingham like a wounded animal, but throwing everything into attack left them vulnerable to the counter and on 25 minutes Danny Wells hit them with the sucker punch with an absolutely amazing goal - collecting the ball on the half-way line, the flying right-back carried the ball five yards when spotting the Intake 'keeper on the six-yard line, hit the ball with swerve and power straight into the top corner. Definitely one of the best goals seen at Stockinger Lane for years and surely one of the contenders for goal of the season.

With Intake still in shock from the second goal, Addingham went for the jugular and Sergio Galasso latched on Graham Johnson's delicate chip to wallop home his ninth of the season. To their credit Intake kept coming forward only to be denied by the acrobatics of Glynn Collins in the Addingham goal.

Addingham kept up their relentless pressure at the start of the second-half and on the hour Simon Collins showed his full recovery from injury to stake his claim for a cup final place with a superb strike from the edge of the area. However, Intake struck back immediately and grabbed a consolation for their efforts when Hales was allowed a free header from six yards, striking Collins on the chest before flying into the net.

Intake now had their tails up but Collins produced a great save from a free-kick to prove he was on top of his game. Seeing Addingham needed fresh legs, manager Darren Bates introduced them, bringing on Steve Gibson, Dan Kelley and first team manager Mark Ridley, who made a guest appearance, bringing stability and vision to the midfield.

However, Ridley's turn of pace was the telling factor to Addingham's fifth goal when he left his marker in his wake, releasing a defence splitting pass which found Brendan Kelley unmarked on the edge of the area. Kelley, showing maturity beyond his years, gave the advancing 'keeper no chance with a clinical finish. Man of the Match went to Sergio Galasso for the third time in a week.

Addingham Res.......3

Waddington.............1

The visitors to Stockinger Lane on Saturday were Cup Finalists Waddington, who at one time this season were challenging for the title, but Addingham gained revenge from their previous encounter with a performance of quality and passion as they came from behind to run out worthy winners.

Addingham set their stall out early when with the first attack of the match Sergio Galasso showed his marker a clean pair of heels before releasing a wicked strike from the edge of the area which struck the upright before falling to safety. Waddington showed their quality when Harrison's delightful long ball over the top of the Addingham back four fell perfectly for Hickling, who lobbed Collins in the Addingham goal as he came out to narrow the angle.

Addingham were rocking as Waddington applied the pressure and within the space of two minutes Collins pulled off two top drawer saves to keep Addingham in the match. Inspired by their goalkeeper's heroics Addingham began to settle after their early setback and started to play the football they are capable of. Darren Bates started to pull the strings in midfield as Brendan Kelley showed bulldog spirit in the centre of the park with challenges not for the faint-hearted. Chances fell to Gibson and Johnson who should have converted when scoring was the easier option but at half-time Waddington went in with the lead.

After an inspired half-time talking to, Addingham came out all guns blazing. Within five minutes of the restart they were level when Jez Parker's back heel sent the Waddington defence the wrong way, Sergio Galasso anticipated the move and was clean through on goal. His finish was so strong that although the Waddington 'keeper got his hands to the ball it also took him into the back of the net as well as the ball.

Addingham sensed it was going to be their day as they now ran Waddington ragged and so it was no surprise when they doubled their lead on 70 minutes when Silson found Galasso on the edge of the area. Galasso turned his man and shot first time, but Jez Parker, showing years of goal poaching instinct, produced a brilliant diving header which left Bayliss in the Waddington goal rooted like a statue as the ball flew into the top corner.

Waddington pushed men forward for an equaliser but found the Addingham back line in miserly form. But as they pushed men forward the inevitable happened when Danny Well's pinpoint pass found Kelley in acres of space down the right. Kelly's pace saw him leave three men in his wake before rounding the 'keeper and tapping into an empty net. With the match won, Addingham had chances to extend their margin of victory but Kelley missed two one-on-one with the 'keeper when a calmer head was required. Match Point for Addingham went to Sergio Galasso.

Addingham Res...........4

Colne CC.....................1

The phoenix from the flames continues to rise as Addingham Reserve's season continue to a thrilling finale, when on Thursday night, after a titanic struggle, they disposed of Colne CC to continue their promotion push.

With Simon Collins playing his first match since his injury Addingham began in empathic style when Graham Johnson found Simon Collins with a pinpoint pass, Collins produced a vintage strike from 25 yards to give Addingham the lead. After a dominant opening 20 minutes Addingham began to find things too easy and individuals began to try to do too much.

This allowed Colne, who were playing as a team, back into the fray. Addingham were under the cosh as Colne had them pinned in their own half for long periods of the first-half. Three good saves by Glynn Collins in the Addingham goal and an overhead kick off his own line by Robbie Walker, Deny Colne getting on level terms. Finally, Addingham realised they were in a match and just before half-time Jez Parker turned on a sixpence and put Galasso clean through on goal only to be denied by the Colne 'keeper.

Despite a half-time dressing down by manager D Bates, Addingham started the second-half as they had played the majority of the first. Lacklustre and disorganised team play allowed Colne to control the opening exchanges and on 55 minutes the division's top scorer Colin Heap met Ben Mallinson's cross on the volley to put Colne on level terms.

On fire striker Sergio Galasso received an inch perfect pass from veteran Jerry Parker and showed an astonishing burst of pace to leave his marker in his wake before giving the 'keeper o chance from 12 yards.

Addingham were on song now and everything seemed to go right. With 20 minutes left Simon Collins bagged his second with a clinical strike from just inside the area. Within a minute, as Colne heads dropped, Graham Johnson swooped to make it four when latching on to Galasso's cross bundling the ball home from five yards.

The final 15 minutes was all Addingham as Colne bravely held on with Addingham's best chance falling to Silson's, whose bullet header from Kelley's corner was somehow tipped over the bar by the Colne 'keeper. Man of the Match for Addingham was Sergio Galasso for the second match running.

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