Sherwood 3

Burley Trojans 2

BURLEY Trojans' great start to the new season hit the buffers at the home of Harrogate Railway on Saturday. League champions Sherwood, affiliated to the North East Counties club and boasting a number of their former players, effectively won this game with a sparkling first-half showing which saw them go in three goals to the good at the break.

A sterling second-half comeback from Trojans saw them reduce the arrears but, although a point looked a distinct possibility, they just fell short.

Trojans, forced to concede vital home advantage due to an administrative blunder by the League, once again paid the price for showing their opponents too much respect.

With the inspirational Eamonn Elliott pulling the strings in midfield,

Sherwood posed Trojans' defence all sorts of problems in the first period. Centre-forward Adam Walker should have done better when 'keeper Chris Hargreaves' clearance fell at his feet and then ex-York City man Jimmy Black fired a 20 yard effort over.

It was far from one-way traffic and newcomer Andy Payne shot wide from distance and Chris Connolly saw his free-kick go the wrong side of the post.

Trojans were their architects of their own downfall after 20 minutes when a defensive misunderstanding gave Sherwood an unnecessary corner. From Elliott's accurate delivery poor marking allowed Walker to turn and shoot home from ten yards.

Elliott should have doubled the lead but elected to shoot from an impossible angle when he had both Walker and Hutchinson queuing up to score. Richard Wood's shot on the turn almost embarrassed Giles Holdsworth but the 'keeper managed to turn the ball behind and Wood also forced another save when he met Stu Copley's cross at full stretch.

The second goal arrived five minutes before half-time when Trojans gifted the home side too much time and space. Hutchinson controlled and turned before slipping a deft pass through to Black who timed his run to perfection and finished clinically.

Defensively Trojans were all at sea and it was no surprise that Sherwood added a third before the break. A flowing move on the right almost gave Trojans a much needed boost on the stroke of half-time but Connolly's fierce drive was deflected over.

Gary Shankland's animated half-time team talk appeared to work wonders as Trojans came out fired up for the second-half.

Within a minute of the re-start Wood saw his curling drive rebound off the inside of the post and roll along the line and then Jonny Lofthouse, well placed in the area, sent another effort agonisingly wide of the far post with Holdsworth beaten. Jonny Keith also fired over as the champions struggled to cope with the high tempo game which Trojans employed.

With Trojans pushing forward in search of a reward gaps appeared at the back and Elliott created a great chance for Walker on the break but he spooned his effort wildly off target with just Hargreaves to beat.

Indeed it was a promising Sherwood attack which led to Trojans' first goal on the hour.

Elliott had a snap shot well saved by Hargreaves. The 'keeper launched a long ball forward and Copley's persistence on the edge of the area created the space for a shot which was too good for Holdsworth.

Trojans still had a mountain too climb and their cause was not helped by centre-forward Connolly limping off with 20 minutes remaining to be replaced by Phil Constantine.

In a much more assured second- half Hargreaves and his defence dealt well with Sherwood's forays into their territory. With just five minutes remaining centre-half Kieren Hanogue strode forward to play a brilliant ball behind the defence and Constantine skipped clear to send a high lob over Holdworth and into the net.

The experienced Sherwood side might have been expected to close out the game but Trojans new found belief saw them continue to take the game to their opponents.

With just seconds on the clock a half chance fell to Chris Lloyd but with the ball running away from him his shot went wide allowing Sherwood to hang on for the win which sees them once again in a familiar position at the top.

l Trojans visit newcomers Eccleshill Reserves tonight (Thursday) kick-off 7pm and on Saturday they travel to Sherwood, kick-off 3pm.