Addingham.......2

Grindleton......2

THE White Swan-sponsored Addingham FC were in confident mood on Saturday following a fine 6-3 away win the last time out against in-form Keighley Lifts.

Grindleton, like Addingham, had gained promotion last season and their two games last term had been very fiery affairs.

Addingham were still without long-term injury victims Ricky Mills and Andy Collins, and with the influential Danny Houlbrook keeping the streets of Manchester free from crime there were welcome returns for Johnny Birtwhistle and Paul Wintersgill.

There was also a debut for Dustin King whose impressive display will force selection problems once the casualties return.

The previous night's rain meant the Rover Park pitch was unplayable so the infamous 'slope' was marked out ready for action.

The visitors won the toss and elected to play downhill, hoping to take an early advantage. This was far from the case as Addingham started the brighter with their three strikers causing mayhem in the Grindleton defence.

The deadlock was almost broken in the 10th minute but Jamie Barrow's stunning free-kick hit the post before being hacked away.

The lead though was not long coming, following a succession of corners. Micky Kernick swung over a beauty, the 'keeper was left flapping as deadly Jez Parker rose highest at the far post to bullet his header into the net.

This seemed to spur Grindleton on and they began to press home the advantage afforded them by the slope. On three separate occasions 'keeper Andy Dobson rescued his side with some outstanding goalkeeping.

He could only watch in dismay as the visitors levelled, the danger looked over as the ball was cleared but a hopeful punt to the edge of the area was hooked goalward by the Grindleton striker and to everyone' surprise the ball went in off the post.

The scoreline stayed the same at the break as Addingham now had the chance to attack downhill. This they duly did, Galasso, Si Collins and Marriot all going close. The game on the whole though became scrappy and littered with needless free-kicks. Grindleton were still dangerous on the break and King, Palmer and the ever impressive Campbell were regularly called upon.

With 20 minutes to go manager Mark Ridley made the change that should have won the game. John Birtwhistle, out of action for the last six weeks, was beginning to tire and he was replaced by the ever-eager Paul Wintersgill.

Michael Kernick went on a fantastic run down the right. He skinned the full-back before drilling across a wicked low ball that the defenders couldn't attempt to touch for fear of giving away an own goal.

The ball fizzed across the six-yard box before Wintersgill arrived right on cue to smash home at the far post.

Kernick then showed a compassionate side to his nature. Barrow appeared to have been fouled in the centre circle, the referee waved play on; the Grindleton centre-half tried to clear the ball to the left but Kernick intercepted the pass and raced goalward.

Barrow was still laid out and it looked as if the referee would halt play, but as no infringement had occurred he gestured for the game to go on.

Kernick was like a startled rabbit, he had the ball at his feet 12 yards from goal as every other player stood watching but he showed his sporting manner by gently chipping the ball into the 'keeper's hands.