BOROUGHRDGE RES 3 KNARESBOROUGH RES 2 (AET)
Bridge survived a Knaresborough fight back to win this League Trophy local derby with a Gary Shaw penalty in extra time. The home side started the better with Johnny Hunt planting a header straight at Lewis Mallinson and the young keeper was then given the benefit as he appeared to take out Paul Smith when clear on goal. Nevertheless it was Bridge who eventually got their noses in front when Jamie Smith rose to head home a Gary Shaw free kick in the 24th minute. Dan Ledgeway responded with a couple of speculative efforts that failed to trouble Ollie Barton but with chances at a premium it was the feisty midfield battle that caught the eye.  Bridge consolidated their position three minutes into the second half through Andy Hall who collected the ball 25 yards out, bought himself a yard of space and let fly with a powerful left foot drive which left Mallinson grasping at air.  ‘Boro struggled to penetrate the Bridge back line until the 63rd minutes when Ben Mudd was dispossessed by Matt Adamson who set up Jamie Watson to give them a lifeline. A previously composed Bridge now looked the more nervy but they still continued to create the better chances and only an excellent save from Mallinson denied Paul Smith. This was to prove vital four minutes from time as Bridge failed to deal with a Marc Hill cross and Watson was on hand to fire in the equaliser. There had just been two minutes of extra time when Andy O’Hare went on one of his darting runs only to be stopped in his tracks by a clumsy challenge and much to the relief of an anxious management team Gary Shaw stepped up to slot home the resultant penalty. On another day Bridge could easily have been awarded another penalty but this was quickly forgotten as they were able to see out the extra time period in relative ease.
MOM C Tetley & A O’Hare