Kirk Deighton 0, Pool AFC 2

POOL continued their run of West Yorkshire League victories in the same style that they have shown for a couple of months - playing below their best but picking up three points each time.

For much of this match Kirk Deighton looked the better side and mastered the bobbly pitch conditions far better than the visitors but failed to capitalise on their chances.

After 20 minutes, Neil Fieldend dribbled through at pace from the left side of midfield and shot into the far top corner from just outside the box - a terrific goal which put Pool in front.

However, their subsequent attacking efforts were often foiled by the efficient off-side tactics of the home defence, which compensated well for their lack of pace at the back.

Pool were confident of pushing on and winning but some poor passing often frustrated them.

It was not until the second-half when Fieldend again came up trumps and scored his and Pool's second with a goal that mirrored the first, leaving the otherwise very competent Kirk Deighton goalkeeper with no chance.

The match was soured at the end when a bizarre refereeing decision of an instant double booking (the red card brought out at the same time as the yellow) was given against young Chris Thompson in the centre of Pool's defence for so-called time-wasting at a goal kick.

Both teams were baffled by the apparent creation of a new rule. In the ensuing rumpus, Fieldend's second bout of ill-disciplined comments earned him another yellow card and hence his rightful exit from the match.

Pool Reserves 1, Sherwood 2

ON a damp, blustery afternoon on a heavy riverside pitch, the Reserves put in a much better performance than recent weeks against high-flying Sherwood.

In a close, hard-fought first-half Sherwood took an early lead but Pool got over the early shock and started to apply pressure to the visitors' back four.

Mohammed and Howden were a constant thorn in the side of the Sherwood defence.

Pool almost equalised when a long clearance from Allinson dropped to Evans on the edge of the box, whose fierce volley forced the Sherwood 'keeper into a world class save.

Evans almost equalised with another effort but Pool's goal was to come at the start of the second- half when a clever flick from Hodgson fell to Mo Ishaq in the box who coolly rounded the 'keeper to score.

The visitors regained the lead after a goalmouth scramble and would have increased their lead but for a spectacular goalline clearance from Ingle.

Pool applied a lot of pressure and efforts from Newbould, Timmins and Evans, again with another pile-driver could have got the home side back on level terms but it was not to be.

Pool hope that they have saved their luck for Saturday's cup semi-final against Wellington.

Match Point went to Ingle at the heart of the defence for an unusually solid, composed performance.