Pool.......................5

Killinghall.........1

HOLDERS Pool moved into the quarter-finals of the League Challenge Cup with this comfortable victory over lower opposition. On a near perfect playing surface Pool started the brighter and were allowed to stamp their own brand of passing football onto the game early on.

Ten minutes into the game a sweet move down the left found striker Joyce, who shimmied past his marker and crossed to an unmarked Banks, who guided his header past the despairing 'keeper. Banks could have doubled his and Pool's tally four minutes later when, with his back to goal, he back-heeled from 20 yards only to hit the post.

Ten minutes later Pool were 2-0 up. A corner swung over from Joyce was headed out as far as Taylor. He turned the oncoming defender and his goal-bound shot was back headed in by Banks for his second of the game.

Pool allowed their hosts to get back into the game through sloppy marking. A free-kick into the box found a Killinghall striker on his own and his looping header left Allinson grasping at air. Five minutes from half-time Pool regained their two-goal margin. Willoughby, looking like a youthful Terry Cooper, went charging down the left flank.

He played a one-two with Joyce before unleashing a vicious strike which the 'keeper could only push into the path of Banks who made no mistake.

The second-half saw Pool playing some champagne football right throughout the team with 'keeper Allinson merely a spectator. Killinghall simply had no answer to Pool's passing game and any half chance they had was sniffed out by the competent back four of Dobson, Studds, Healey and Willougby.

On the hour Singleton let fly with a 25-yard rasper but could only look on in despair as the 'keeper finger-tipped it on to the bar. For all their dominance Pool had to wait until the last five minutes to increase their lead. A Joyce volley from ten yards hit a defender and spun in past the 'keeper. Singleton then threaded a perfect ball through to Joyce who kept his cool and guided the ball into the bottom corner. Steve Banks was awarded Match Point for an awesome display of power.