AFTER last week's disappointing defeat at Storthes Phoenix needed to get back on the victory trail and keep their chances of winning the Premier Division alive.

They took an early lead when Dale Hoyle headed the ball back across the goal from a corner for Steve Lister to smash it into the roof of the net.

The second goal came when Mick Gilmartin put Hoyle through and his square pass allowed Joe Bryceland to beat two defenders and slip the ball past the keeper.

Keeper Paul Linyard pulled off a spectacular save to deny Altofts before Phoenix increased their lead with Sean Bonner sliding the ball under the bar from a corner.

Altofts pulled a goal back in the second half after the Phoenix defence failed to clear a long ball, allowing Taylor to score from close range.

Gilmartin got onto the scoresheet after a long ball from Ben McCormack dissected the Altofts defence. Hoyle scored the first of his hat-trick at the second attempt from a Gilmartin pass and Gilmartin himself scored the sixth goal from close range after Danny Spencer outpaced the defence.

Substitute Ripley pulled another goal back for Altofts, but minutes later a long clearance from Linyard found Spencer on the left and his first time cross found Hoyle who headed home. He completed his hat-trick when the referee adjudged he had been pulled back in the area and he converted the spot kick, chipping the ball into the roof of the net after the keeper had committed himself.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Phoenix are away to Golcar (ko 2.30) and on Wednesday they travel to Campion at Manningham Mills (ko 6.15).

Silsden's celebrations continued at the top of Division Two with a 6-1 victory over Dynamoes. John Edges rattled in a hat-trick, Andy Holden scored two and Steve Gray added the sixth.

Keighley Shamrocks continued their promotion romp in second place, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Brighouse Town Reserves. Shammies were gifted the point when Town scored an own goal.

Phoenix Reserves went down 2-1 to Kinsley with chances few and far between.

After a goalless first half Roy Mason volleyed Liam Daley's cross into the roof of the net. Phoenix were in command and looked to be on their way to a comfortable victory, but Kinsley equalised from the restart and went ahead five minutes later after sloppy defending.

Phoenix threw caution to the wind and brought on veteran Richard Huck in a desperate attempt to salvage a point but despite a couple of near misses they couldn't find the elusive second goal.

This week they travel to South Craven for a Supplementary Cup replay with Cross Hills Reserves.

Steeton's troubled seasoncontinued with a 3-2 defeat by fellow strugglers Field Reserves despite two goals from J Gill.

Shamrocks and Pheonix Reserves played out a 1-1 draw in their Wednesday night derby. Mick Wormald scored for Shammies and Mick Craig scored the Phoenix goal.

Shamrocks Reserves beat Hall Green United 2-1 in Division Four with goals from Rhodes and Whitaker.

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