Burley Trojans 2

Beckwithshaw 1

Following a run of three cup defeats Burley Trojans manager Gary Shankland rang the changes before Saturday's league en-counter with Beckwithshaw.

In came Dave McKain, Rob Wheeler and Shankland himself to bolster the side and Trojans were rewarded with all three points.

It was no plain sailing however as the youthful Beckwithshaw side belied their lowly league position. A measure of the visitors' goal threat was the fact that Trojans' 'keeper Chris Hargreaves was named Man-of- the-Match, with two saves in particular helping to preserve his side's lead in the second-half.

Beckwithshaw almost caught Trojans cold in the second minute when Mike Syms long arrange effort crashed against the bar with Hargreaves beaten.

Shocked into action Trojans took the lead with their first attack. Young defender John Eldridge leapt for a high ball with Jonny Lofthouse and referee Geoff Thompson ruled that he had pushed his opponent and pointed to the spot.

Chris Connolly stepped up and with a minimum of fuss dispatched his spot kick into the bottom corner.

Lofthouse proved his value in defence clearing off his own line following a corner and then the lively Ben Jefferson fired over.

Jefferson was a constant threat all afternoon but lacked the support to cause real problem.

When he did break he was halted in his tracks by Shankland at the expense of a yellow card.

Stuart Dibb saw a backheader well saved by Keith McKenzie following a long Rob Wheeler throw and then Connolly showed sublime skill to create space only for the 'keeper to clutch his goalbound shot at full stretch.

Big centre half Lee Pratt headed wide from a promising position and Lofthouse showed superb positional sense again to clear another effort off the line as Beckwithshaw threatened.

The equaliser finally came on the stroke of half-time when a Beckwithshaw attack was not cleared and poor defending allowed young Ben Needham space at the far post to force the ball in.

If Trojans are to mount a serious challenge this season then they must dispose of teams like Beckwithshaw and there was a vast improvement in the second-half.

A lively start to the second period was rewarded with what proved to be the winning goal ten minutes after the break.

It was a family affair as Dave McKain on his return to the side shrugged off his ring rustiness to slide a measured pass into the path of brother Ian whose composed finish was too good for McKenzie.

Connolly missed a gilt-edged chance to extend the lead when he screwed his shot wide from ten yards.

It almost proved costly as the visitors went all out for an equaliser. Ben Wood sent a header just too high before Hargreaves pulled off a stunning point blank save from Syms.

Hargreaves then saved from Needham and Mark Levine and the latter also fired wide when well placed.

Trojans made a double substitution introducing Stu Copley and Oliver Barrand in an attempt to steady the ship. Jefferson sent a shot into the side netting as Trojans rode their luck.

Having enjoyed the rub of the green with the first penalty decision Trojans were later disappointed as first Connolly and then Lofthouse were felled in the area but their appeals fell upon deaf ears.

In the end it did not matter as Trojans held on to record a morale boosting victory which sees them regain second spot in the Premier Division.

l Trojans are at home to Pateley Bridge on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm. Players meet at the Cricket Club at 1.45pm.