Addingham 7

Skipton LMS 1

THIS could have been a tricky clash for an Addingham side missing Damion Smithson and Paul Chapman. However, the home side rose to the occasion with superb performances from Brian Wild, Andy Murray and Glen Riley.

Although the visitors had the better of the opening 20 minutes Addingham began to get a grip. When Wild's reverse pass found Jez Parker eight yards out, the veteran striker smashed the ball home.

Instead of building on this Addingham sat back and were punished five minutes later.

A Skipton striker was unmarked at the far post as he hammered the ball past Dobson.

The home side struggled to find any rhythm and it was the visitors who looked more likely to take the lead.

Addingham regained the lead shortly before the interval. The Skipton 'keeper could only parry Murray's ferocious shot and Wild prodded the ball home.

After the break Addingham made a tactical change that altered the game. Ridley came on at full-back, Knox was pushed into midfield as Kernick came off and Phil Smith also moved into midfield.

Andy Murray swung in a superb corner and Rob Walker rose to bullet a header into the top corner - this was the player's first goal in two years so his length of the field celebration was understandable.

With a two goal cushion Addingham began to produce the fluent football they are capable of.

Collins went close with an effort as the visitors began to fall apart. It was no surprise when Knox added a fourth goal. He raced into the area from a through ball and drilled home.

Skipton continued to push forward but their attacks were easily thwarted. Their inability to create opportunities gave way to frustration. When Phil Smith was hacked down in the area a penalty seemed the obvious outcome. However, the referee waved play on.

Riled abided by the decision, Smith sought revenge and was promptly booked. Jez Parker then voiced his opinion and he needlessly went into the book as well.

Addingham switched back to football and their reward came with a fifth goal. Glen Riley's corner curled straight into the top corner.

The home side forced attack after attack and the Skipton 'keeper made excellent saves from Collins and Parker. He was left powerless 12 minutes from time when Addingham made it six.

Knox thudded the ball against the underside of the bar and the ball came back out to him. His subsesquent goalbound effort was handled on the line but the referee ruled the ball had crossed the line.

With the game won, Phil Smith was replaced by Tim Fendyke. The substitute almost set up number seven. Having held off three tackles he sent a superb ball through for Collins - however the youngster was denied by a fine tackle.

The final goal was worth the wait. Glen Riley picked the up the ball 30 yards out and with an air of arrogance, left five defenders trailing in his wake as he burst into the box.

The 'keeper rushed out to narrow the angle but Riley just dropped his shoulder, sent the 'keeper the wrong way and calmly rolled the ball into the bottom corner.

A game that could well have been a something of a banana skin turned out to be a stroll in the park.

The resulted moved Addingham up to fourth place in the table.

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