Burley Trojans 2

Pool Reserves 1

Trojans followed up their opening day win with another three points from an entertaining encounter with newly promoted Pool Reserves.

A Chris Connolly brace was enough to send Gary Shankland's side to the top of the table and leave Pool pointless after an opening day reverse at champions Sherwood.

Pool started very shakily and Richard Wood, looking to continue his rich goalscoring form, six goals in pre-season as well as his opening day hat-trick, could have scored inside the first minute. Trojans didn't have long to wait to take the lead as the visitors gifted them their opener.

A Pool back pass found Connolly lurking and Trojans' leading scorer from last season swivelled and buried an assured finish past Ed Neale.

Pool responded well to this early setback and with young Adam Smith prompting most of their best moments they forced Trojans onto the back foot. Smith blazed over and then Paul Wilkinson saw his shot deflected wide.

The irrepressible Connolly could have been awarded a penalty and he proved a real handful for the Pool defenders. Trojans continued to fall into Pool's off-side trap time and again much to their frustration and despite carrying the greater threat it was Pool who played the more constructive football and thoroughly deserved their equaliser.

A long ball forward bounced between Chris Hargreaves and Kieren Hanogue and in the confusion which ensued Paul Wilkinson nipped in to head the ball over the stranded 'keeper.

Wilkinson went close to putting his side in front shortly afterwards when his fierce drive was just off target. Jonny Lofthouse had a great chance to give Trojans the lead deep into first-half stoppage time but as he broke clear with just Neale to beat the ball took a wicked bobble and the chance was lost.

Manager Shankland reminded his side of the need to keep their shape and retain possession in the second-half and this appeared to be heeded as they applied some early pressure. Stuart Dibb found himself upfield and when his strong run took him into the area he delayed his pass to the unmarked Wood and Pool were able to clear their lines.

The visitors clearly felt that the game was their for the taking and Smith continued to carry their main threat. Twelve minutes from time Dibb flighted a clever long pass beyond the last Pool defender and Connolly, timing his run to perfection arrived to steer home.

The goal seemed to knock the sprit out of the young Pool side and Trojans continued to press with Hanogue flashing a header wide and the lively Copley heading over before warming Neale's hands with a stinging drive.

In the end Trojans probably deserved to take the spoils but Pool proved that they will be no pushover at this higher level. Dibb picked up match point for a commanding display.

Trojans travel to champions Sherwood on Saturday. Trojans Reserves kick-off their campaign with a trip to newly-promoted Knaresborough Celtic, both kick-off at 3pm.