Pool AFC 11

Dalton Athletic 1

POOL bounced back from last week's disappointing County Cup defeat by Rawdon Old Boys to register an emphatic thrashing of lowly Dalton.

After only playing three league games all season Pool needed the league points to maintain a strong title challenge. They destroyed Dalton with some quick football on the wings with Taylor and Greenwood involved heavily early on, carving up the defence, which resulted in Joyce grabbing a great first-half hat-trick to put Pool in total charge.

However, Dalton's nippy striker pulled one back just before half-time.

The second-half started with Pool stepping up their work rate and hoping to kill the away side off. This was achieved in great style as Pool tore into Dalton and the goals flowed with Joyce adding two more, Carl Wilson and Field notched with good finishes.

It was now one-way traffic and Dalton had no answer to Pool's football which rubber-stamped their belief that they are the best side in the division.

Nick Barton stepped up from the back to smash home, as did Matt O'Grady, who scored after Taylor and Greenwood again combined to put the cultured player in.

The goals now started to tot up and even full-back Payne added to Joyce's sixth strike to complete a good thrashing and keep the spirits up for the season ahead.

At the back Barton did well in Smithson's place and Healey was again composed under pressure. All the midfield worked hard with Field snapping away and Grenwood again showing a great touch on the ball. Match Point was awarded to Taylor, who, although he didn't score, was involved in a lot of moves and gave his full-back opponent a torrid time. Daz Myers, on as substitute, showed good pace and determination wich showed the good spirit in the camp.

Killinghall Nomads 3

Pool Seconds 1

With Pool looking to take revenge for a 4-3 cup exit against Killinghall the team knew that they were in for a hard game. The early exchanges saw both teams flying in with some hard challenges and the referee took action against Pool's John Wilby for his competitive approach. He received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

Instantly, Killinghall exposed Pool's 10 men and opened the scoring, but Pool did not lie down and equalised with a Simon Malpass dribble and clinical finish.

The half-time 1-1 was always going to be a problem for Pool but sterling efforts from Ingle, Newbould, Vasey and Evans in the defence kept the home team at bay.

With legs starting to tire, the home team piled on the pressure and took the lead with a close range effort. Pool were now chasing the game and were unlucky to be punished in the closing minutes with a header from the classy Nomads centre forward.

This was not the result Pool were expecting and showed that effort alone will not win games. Match Point - Mark Ingle and Marc Vasey.

Pool 'A' 3

East Keswick 1

Pool 'A' continued their recent good run of form with this convincing win over East Keswick.

They spent much of the first-half camped in the visitor's half, Forrest, Trimnell, Dickinson and Wilkinson all testing the 'keeper.

The deserved opening goal came when Dickinson's good work forced a corner which Wilkinson swung in with such effect that the Keswick 'keeper could only help the ball into his own net.

Pool defended well when required, Smith, Jones, Hall and Taylor holding firm, so with Johnson, Boulton, Wilkinson and Dickinson controlling midfield, it came as no surprise when Pool extended their lead.

Wilkinson broke up the right ending with a shot which the 'keeper should have dealt with, but his fumble gave the ever alert Trimnell his chance to finish the job.

Further chances to Forrest and Trimnell were not taken and in the second-half Keswick came back strong only being held at bay by some Pool finishing and good defending but they got their deserved breakthrough to pull a goal back and make for an interesting last 10 minutes.

They would have fancied their chances at taking something from the match but Wood, rapidly taking on the mantle of 'super sub', had other ideas. For the second week running he came on to seal the match.

This time Forrest and Trimnell combined to put him clear on goal, his coolness giving the 'keeper no chance as he finished confidently.

Pool's Match Point went to the hard working Forrest.

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