Craven League final

Addingham...................2 Hellifield....................1

ADDINGHAM secured a cup final date with Skipton Town after a less than impressive display against Hellifield.

The result was a reverse of the clash between the two sides three weeks ago. A woeful second-half Addingham performance allowed Hellifield to claim victory.

However, the league leaders were in no mood to hand their opponents this time. It took Addingham only three minutes to take the lead. Peter Smales fed the ball out to Barrow on the left. He drilled the ball back to Wild and the Addingham man smashed into the net.

Far from spurring Addingham forward, the team appeared to slacken off. Hellifield were confined to hitting long balls but too many Addingham passes were going astray.

The atmosphere was more akin to a friendly than a cup tie. This suited Hellifield who, with a five man midfield, began to dominate.

Dickinson and Palmer were superb in the centre of defence but Andy Collins took the plaudits with a wonderful display at right back.

However, that said, the entire back line switched off as a Hellifield striker headed against a post. It was only a short reprieve as Hellifield scrambled an equaliser from a corner just seconds later.

Addingham fought back to net the winner shortly before the interval. Brian Wild is in a rich vein of form at the moment and his 10th goal in three games proved the clincher.

Timothy Marriott's ball found Wild who calmly picked his spot from 10 yards.

Despite the 2-1 lead, manager Ridley still found time to give the team a roasting for a lack of passion.

Addingham did raise their game and Collins and Mills both went close with efforts. Howevcer, it was Hellifield who seemed the more likely scorers, albeit most of the attempts were long range.

Dobson's fine save from a free kick preserved the home side's lead. Hellifield threw caution to the wind and piled forward in numbers.

Addingham's strikers could have eased the pressure on their defensive colleagues by tucking away chances created on the break but too many passes went astray.

The home side eventually claimed their cup final spot, albeit with a slight sense of anti cliamax due to the performance.

The final with Skipton Town will be held on April 26.

Addingham have three league games left to play. They are a point clear of Clitheroe having played a game more, although Addingham have the better goal difference. A tight finish to the season beckons.

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