Addingham 4

Oxenhope 0

WITHOUT a competitive game for a fortnight Addingham faced a tricky game against Oxenhope.

The previous week's inter-club friendly between first and second teams had given manager Mark Ridley the chance to see all the players but Oxenhope's reputation as a strong, physical side meant that the home side made only one change with Andy Collins coming in at left-back.

Ater the early exchanges it was obvious that Addingham had the upperhand. With only five minutes gone Jamie Barrow turned on the edge of the box and fed Michael Kernick whose shot skimmed a post.

Moments later Simon Collins saw his curling shot well saved - something that was to happen all game. Barrow, Houlbrook and Collins all had good chances blocked or saved but with confidence flowing Addingham were in no mood to be thwarted. Taking the bull by the horns Barrow picked the ball up 30 yards out and with lightening pace outstripped the defence and with delicate precision skipped past another defender into the area. A body swerve outfoxed another defender and then Barrow unleashed an unstoppable shot.

The game was only 20 minutes old but Addingham's superiority was total. Peter Smale was denied by another fine save and with the traffic now totally one-way it was only a matter of time before Addingham extended their lead.

Collins and Kernick linked well to leave Barrow a simple tap in. At the other end Andrew Dobson had to be on his toes to thwart the rare Oxenhope attacks. The new centre-back pairing of Phil Smith and Graham Dickinson along with full-backs Greg Palmer and Andy Collins were rarely stretched but their understanding as a unit was beginning to gel.

The main threat througghout came from Barrow and he completed his hat-trick with another wonderful strike. This came after some brilliant work by Timothy Marriot who was the most influential player in the game.

At the break Smale was replaced by Richard Mills after he had picked up a knock. Simon Collins was time and again denied by the 'keeper but the young striker showed great maturity as he continued to make unselfish runs leaving gaps for Houlbrook and Barrow to exploit.

Having been singled out as a danger Kernick found himself man marked and he was eventually replaced by Brian Wild who played as a third striker. Wild soon found himself shackled by the same marker as Oxenhope gamely played on with little but pride as their goal.

Again and again Addingham cut Oxenhope apart and more composed finishing would have produced more goals. As it was Addingham had to wait until ten minutes from time to score their fourth . Wild pulled off his marker and played a delightful ball to Barrow who in turn played in Collins and his thunderous drive cannoned off a defender and came to Houlbrook who capped another cracking personal display with a cool finish. Barrow picked up match point but Houlbrook and Marriot ran him close.

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