HAMPSTHWAITE........4

BURLEY TROJANS......4

BURLEY Trojans carried on the Christmas spirit in to the New Year as they gifted ten man Hampsthwaite a point. Trailing 4-2 with their 'keeper sent off, the league's bottom side scored twice inside the last five minutes to snatch a share of the spoils.

In truth Trojans could have little complaint as they were outfought in the second-half, although, with a little more composure in front of goal, the result could have been sealed long before the home sides' late show.

Hampsthwaite have long been a bogey side for Trojans and the omens were not good as they took an early lead. Ben Gill's deep cross was headed home

at the far post by veteran striker Pete Orton with the Trojans' defence static.

The visitors could have been comfortably ahead by this stage as Phil Constantine saw his fierce drive brilliantly turned on to the underside of the bar by 'keeper Shaun Johnson and then the same player blazed over when well placed. Midfielder Matt Hawnt was also foiled by Johnson when cleverly set up by Chris Connolly and Jonny Lofthouse, the 'keeper blocking his close range drive.

At the other end Orton saw a shot drift wide and Mark Brennan found himself in the clear but delayed his shot, allowing Stuart Dibb to cover. Keeper Chris

Hargreaves had to be alert to keep out a 30 yard drive from Nathan Garnham whose long range shooting was to prove a thorn in Trojans' side all afternoon.

Trojans then hit back with three goals in the ten minutes before half-time which rocked their hosts.

Firstly the lively Constantine broke clear and as he was cynically hacked down from behind by last man Paul Pattison, the ball ran loose to Lofthouse who lashed his shot into the roof of the net.

Referee John Clark who had an excellent game awarded the goal but declined to take any further action against the fortunate Pattison. Trojans went ahead within five minutes as Marcus McLeod gathered the ball on the right and swung over an inch perfect cross for Connolly to loop a header over Johnson as the 'keeper hesitated.

It was to get even worse for Johnson when, on the stroke of half-time, he crudely floored Constantine inside the area as the striker again beat the offside trap. Referee Clark had no hesitation in showing Johnson the red card and

Connolly stepped up to calmly beat stand-in 'keeper Pattison from the spot.

With Constantine unable to play any further part and left-back Jonny Clarkson also picking up an injury Trojans were forced into a re-shuffle after the break. This seemed to disrupt their rhythm and Hampsthwaite showed how difficult it can be to play against ten men.

A scrappy goal midway through the second-half briefly gave the home side hope but Trojans re-established their two goal cushion shortly afterwards. Pattison had to leave his area to clear and right-back Dave McKain's audacious lob over the stranded 'keeper was headed clear by Stephen Lawrence but only to Hawnt who nodded the ball into the path of Connolly who completed his hat-trick from six yards.

The home side began to work their offside trap more effectively and despite

their numerical handicap they looked the more dangerous. Hawnt was forced to twice clear off his line and Garnham saw another long range effort strike the bar and re-bound to safety off substitute Martin Robinson. Three minutes from time Orton grabbed his second with a clever finish from close range to set up a tense finale.

Just when it appeared that Trojans might hold on that man Garnham popped up to launch a 30 yard special which screamed past Hargreaves into the top corner to spark off jubilant celebrations amongst the Hampsthwaite players.

Skipper Nick Quaife was awarded match point for his all round contribution to a game which Trojans should have won and which sees them miss a great opportunity to close the gap on the sides above them in the table.

l On Saturday Trojans play another struggling side, Wetherby Athletic Reserves, on The Rec, kick-off 2.00pm.

Five star Reserves

on cup trail

Trojans Res...................5

Marton-Cum-Grafton...2

Trojans Reserves successfully began their defence of the Spa Cup with a re-match against last year's first round opponents. The state of The Rec meant that that Trojans conceded home advantage in order to get the game played and the gamble paid off.

Prolific striker Gareth Goodison celebrated his 18th birthday with another hat-trick to take his season's tally to 21. Not only did Goodison have the key to the door, he also managed to unlock the Marton defence with another magnificent display in front of goal to earn yet another match point.

Trojans took their time to get used to the small pitch and it was a while before they managed to shake off their post-Christmas blues. Midfield general

Steve Hitchen forced home 'keeper Adam Bowen into an excellent save before Goodison opened his account. Having seen his powerful run halted by a foul on the edge of the area, Goodison picked himself up to dispatch a stunning free kick into the top corner.

The second was not long in coming as strike partner Gary Shankland flicked on for Goodison to lob Bowen with consummate ease.

Keeper Michael Sant continued to show his development with a couple of fine saves to ensure that Trojans kept their comfortable lead at the break.

Hitchen capped a fine performance by adding a third early in the second period when his inswinging corner eluded everyone and went straight in.

Marton pulled one back when a free- kick was not fully cleared and the ball was scrambled home.

Goodison completed his fourth hat-trick of the campaign when he latched on to Steve Nelson's through pass and again lobbed the unfortunate Bowen.

A rare lapse from Sant, dropping the ball at a striker's feet again allowed Marton back into the game and Trojans then had to withstand a period of sustained pressure from the home side.

With five minutes remaining Goodison turned provider as he threaded the ball

through for midfielder Kieran Hanogue to run on and lash his shot into the top corner from 18 yards.

l The Reserves are without a fixture this weekend.