Embsay 3

Addingham 0

ADDINGHAM said goodbye to their 16 month unbeaten away record as they crashed to defeat against Embsay on a bumpy, sticky pitch.

Particularly gloomy for the visitors was the sight of striker Damion Smithson on crutches with his right leg in pot.

Although the surface was far from ideal Addingham were no match for a superbly well organised Embsay side.

Playing down a slight hill should have given the visitors the advantage but they found themselves under constant pressure.

More often than not Addingham clearances fell to Embsay players.

Playing his first game after a five week suspension Smithson returned up front alongside Brian Wild, but the two were superbly dealt with by the home defence.

When Addingham did get the ball they could find no way past the Embsay players who worked brilliantly to get back behind the ball.

The Embsay strikers had various options due to the excellent support from midfield.

Addingham were enjoying a good spell when the home side countered superbly to go 1-0 ahead - a lead they still held at the interval.

The second period was much like the first with Addingham under intense pressure.

Ridley twice cleared off the line and Dobson made a stunning save but the second goal eventually came from the boot of the Embsay skipper.

Still Addingham looked for a goal that would bring them hope but they suffered a real blow with 20 minutes to go.

Damion Smithson raced towards goal but was felled from behind, leaving the Addingham striker writhing in agony.

Smithson was taken to hospital amid fears of a broken leg. This proved not to be the case but severe ligament damage has put him out of action for five to six weeks.

Sunderland replaced Smithson but any chance of a fightback had vanished. Addingham were caught pushing forward and Embsay added a third with a good strike from 18 yards.

Towards the end Wild hit the bar and had a good chance saved. Jeremy Parker also went close but these were rare glimpses.

Embsay gave their visitors a lesson in what is required at this level.

Addingham will be looking for a far better performance on Saturday and that Smithson makes a swift recovery.

Reserves clinch

promotion

ON a brighter note Addingham Reserves clinched promotion on Saturday with a fine 3-2 win at second-placed Skipton Bulldogs.

Last season they missed out on promotion by a couple of points but all the stops have been pulled out this term and only a point is needed to claim the title.

Manager Kevin Bates has done a wonderful job blending his older more experienced players with some young lads. With the first team suffering from so many injuries many of the reserve players have had first team experience and not one has been anything less than outstanding.

Two seasons ago the first team played in Division Two and the Reserves in Division Four. Addingham now boasts a Premier Division first team and a Second Division Reserve side.

l Addingham entertain Crosshills on Saturday. Team: Dobson, Ridley, Walker, Dickinson, Chapman, Knox, Smith, Collins, Parker, Wild, Sunderland, Murray (meet at the pavilion 1.15pm).

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