TROJANS................2

RAILWAY RES........2

Following the previous weeks debacle Burley Trojans approached the visit of the runaway league leaders with some trepidation.

The home side welcomed back a number of regulars and came within ten minutes of inflicting on Railway their first league defeat of the season.

This time there was no sign of any capitulation and the Railway boss admitted that Trojans had given them their most difficult ninety minutes of the season.

The visitors, used to the wide open spaces of their Station View ground, were unsettled by both the size and condition of The Rec. Nevertheless they settled well and established the upper hand without creating any clear cut chances in the first period.

In fact the best opening of the half fell to Trojans. From a corner skipper Nick Quaife's header forced Keith McKenzie into a brilliant one handed save and from the rebound Chris Owen struck a post.

On the hour mark Trojans went ahead with a goal of real simplicity. Right back Matt Steer's measured pass picked out Phil Constantine on the far post and the experienced striker had time to control before beating McKenzie with ease.

Railway hit back and were level within five minutes. Keeper Chris Hargreaves got his fist to a deep cross however the ball fell at the feet of centre-half John Ward who drilled home from inside the area.

The home side were clearly in no mood to settle for a point and were soon back on the attack. A Railway corner fell to Trojans defender Chris Lockwood whose fifty yard pass picked out Stuart Dibb and his angled drive forced McKenzie to save with his feet.

Dibb only had to wait a couple of minutes to get on to the scoresheet.

Jonathan Lofthouse and Constantine combined well and when the ball was delivered into the area Dibb pounced on hesitancy in the Railway ranks to grab a classic poachers goal.

Trojans hopes of a major upset were dashed when centre forward Adam Emptage rose at the far post to head home and give the Railwaymen a share of the spoils.

There was no individual match point awarded, the honour being shared among the side for a committed team effort.

l On Saturday Trojans travel to Beckwithshaw Saints for a re-arranged league fixture, kick- off 3.00pm

FALCONS RES.........3

TROJANS RES.........2

(after extra time)

On F.A.Cup semi-final weekend Trojans missed out at the same stage for the second time this season.

Unlike Aston Villa, Trojans found the handicap of having a player sent off too much to handle as a goal five minutes from the end of extra time finally killed them off.

Leading 2-1 with ten minutes of normal time remaining, a goal bound Thirsk effort struck James Goodison on the arm. After consulting his assistant, match referee Mr Sandilands awarded a penalty and showed the red card to the young striker

The resulting spot kick was promptly despatched, taking the tie into extra time.

The afternoon had staerted badly for Trojans, conceding a first minute goal through some poor defending at a corner. The first half was largely one way traffic with lethargic Trojans unable to contain the lively Thirsk midfield. Fortunately some resolute defending from player manager Chris Worts and Man-of-the-Match Tim Fendyke meant that the home side were restricted to long range efforts which 'keeper Richard Lord was able to deal with comfortably.

Trojans best efforts were a twenty five yard volley from Gareth Goodison which dipped narrowly over and a Fendyke header which dropped on to the roof of the net.

Right on half time Trojans snatched the equaliser their play had scarcely deserved. Midfielder Iain Gibbons surged into the area only to be upended by a Thirsk defender. The decision was hotly disputed, with two Thirsk players being yellow carded for their protests.

Despite the delay Jamie Davey held his nerve to convert one of his trademark penalties into the bottom corner.

Trojans clawed their way back into the game and took the lead 20 minutes into the second period.

Having won a corner on the right, the danger was not cleared and the ball eventually fell at the feet of defender Martin Stockdale who gleefully rifled home from close range.

The visitors then had to withstand a ferocious onslaught from Thirsk. Firstly Lord dived bravely at the feet of a striker who had broken clear and then a last ditch tackle from Worts prevented further danger. Gibbons had an opportunity to settle things but his drive was too high following good work from Davey.

With ten minutes remaining Trojans conceded possession in midfield and the resulting Thirsk attack led to the penalty and dismissal of Goodison.

Reduced to ten men and with influential midfielder Richard Wood forced to play on despite a bad ankle injury it was backs to the wall for Trojans.

Just as it looked like they might just hold on for a penalty shoot out Thirsk burst through and, with Trojans appealing in vain for offside, Lord was given no chance from close range.

The visitors threw caution to the wind as they gambled for an equaliser. Worts and Wood combined to set up Gareth Goodison whose cross was glanced narrowly wide by Rob Wheeler.

Trojans do at least have the consolation of the Spa Cup final to look forward to at the end of the month when they take on Tockwith Reserves.

l Trojans entertain resurgent Pool 'A' in a local derby tonight (Thursday), kick off 6.15pm and on Saturday are at home to Unison, kick- off 3.00pm.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.