Pool...1 Hampsthwaite...3

POOL obviously went into this game thinking it would be a walkover against a team who had only won one game all season and were firmly rooted to the bottom of the table.

However, Hampsthwaite had other ideas and any neutral observers could have been forgiven for thinking the two team's league positions were upside down.

To their credit Hampsthwaite adapted better to the appalling conditions and outfought Pool for the ball on numerous occasions.

It was no surprise then when they took the lead. A ball sent through their middle was picked up by Orton, who bamboozled both centre-backs before sliding the ball past Allinson.

The second-half saw Pool start brightly and then a rare thing happened. Joyce sprung the offside trap and his cross was handled in the box. Up stepped Staniforth to dispatch the penalty.

Pool should have used this moment as a springboard to take control of the game but instead reverted back to the lack-lustre performance of the opening half. Too many poor passes, not enough fight when needed, generally abysmal.

Hampsthwaite continued to show Pool how it should be done and two classic strikes in a 15-minute spell finished the game off. The full-time whistle couldn't come quick enough for the bewildered crowd and management.

Kirby Malzeard...0 Pool Reserves ...0

AFTER a long drive down many a country road Pool Reserves arrived at Kirby Malzeard.

On arrival the pitch resembled a swamp but this did not put Pool off. Straight from kick-off they set about their task.

Pool battled hard with Daz Myers taking a ball in the face to prevent a certain goal. Jamie Reddington had a shot superbly saved by the Kirby goalkeeper, who was in unbeatable form.

Malzeard produced most of the flowing football, though Pool had their moments with Steve Carter and David Newbould combining particularly well up the left, ably assisted by Richard Dickinson.

The home side worked tirelessly throughout and lesser teams may have succumbed, but Pool were having none of it, matching the home side in all departments.

Paul Wilkinson made up for last week's errors in goal with a typically confident display, producing one match-saving save in the second-half. His back four of Chris Wilkinson, Andy Graham, Steve Carter and new signing Richard Metcalfe supported him well.

Graham in particular showing his class, elder brother Chris Graham was as ever a thorn in the Malzeard defence side, and two more players getting back to full fitness following long lay-offs, Daz Myers and Graham Robinson, completed a fine all-round team performance by Pool.

This was a vital point for Pool in the first division relegation dogfight, and with fellow strugglers Bedale Town Res going down 3-2 at Harold Styans, everything is to play for.

If Martin Webster's batting team can maintain this form they must surely get out of trouble.

The determination to do this is the key and should not be forgotten.

Pool's Match Point went to David Newbould.