Pool win but not in the old flowing style

POOL came into the game on the back of a couple of indifferent performances. Although they took the three points they left both supporters and manager scratching their heads as to where the flowing football of a few weeks ago has gone.

Chances were created and to his credit the Deighton 'keeper did make a string of good saves but Pool seem a little stale. Maybe the fact they have gone so long unbeaten in the league. Are they going into games thinking it's easy?

If they are then things must change on Saturday. They travel to Deighton for the return fixture, then play the top two teams in consecutive weeks, so attitudes must change as they must realise they can't just turn it on when these games come round.

They must perform to the standards they have set themselves week in, week out.

Having in this game taken a 3-0 lead through Wilkinson, Wilce and Joyce, they let Deighton get back to 3-2 before Wilkinson scored his second to finish the game off. No match point was awarded.

Tockwith 1, Pool Reserves 2

A PLEASANT February afternoon was the setting for the clash between teams from two halves of the table. Pool settled down quickly and commanded the early period of the first-half.

A series of neat passes and clever use of the generous pitch saw Pool rewarded with a goal 15 minutes into the game when D Ireland lobbed the 'keeper from just inside the 18 yard box.

Pool secured a second goal of a similar calibre by S Thomson before the close of the first-half.

The second-half saw a revitalised Tockwith side steal one back within ten minutes. Pool battled to hold on to the game, M Allison pulling off a dive that stretched the full length of the goalmouth.

Pool held through a tense period of relentless Tockwith attack to win the game. A notable performance by Lee Ingle earned him Match Point.

Pool A 1, Catterick Village 3

CATTERICK avenged their defeat at the hands of Pool back in January but not before an early strike by Pool's guest striker.

A fracas later ensued resulting in a scene from Rocky giving stand-in referee the Pool's manager Steve Murphy no choice but to send off a player from each side.

Pool never regained their composure with Catterick running out easy winners.

Pool's Match Point went to Dominic Roberts.

Pool Veterans 5

York Corinthians 3

POOL Veterans virtually guaranteed their place in the final of the York Veterans' competition with this fine win over York.

They were under pressure early on as the visitors started well and controlled the early stages.

Pool's back four of Higgins, Murphy, Budden and Carter suffered a further blow when strikers Kirk and Nixon had to retire. Against the run of play Pool took the lead when Murphy headed goalwards from a corner and O'Halloran fed Tolson, who calmly lifted a chip over the 'keeper. O'Halloran made it 3-0 when he cut in from the right to fire into the far corner.

In the second-half Pool continued to dominate with the midfield of Clark, Kenny, Tolson and Martin pushing the ball about well. Another good move let O'Halloran in for his hat-trick and Copsey then curled a shot past the 'keeper from 30 yards.

Pool relaxed and Thompson made one of his occasional bloomers to let York back in. Pool started to sweat when two more quick goals made it 5-3 and there was a danger of an embarrassing result but they held on for three points in a match well refereed by Finbar Cafatti (first-half) and Paul Tolson (second- half).