BARDSEY 0 BOROUGHBRIDGE 3
Last week’s ‘Hat trick hero’ Ollie Uffindall’s words re Bridge’s defending at Wetherby certainly could not be directed their way on Saturday as the back four of Stephen Paffett, Steve Tovey, Mark Tyson and Steve Coghlin, ably supported by the excellent Alastair Hogg, put in superb performances to grab all three points against last season’s County Challenge Cup holders. Bardsey, fresh from their victory in the Northern Counties Seniors trophy, started confidently and a couple of shots and a teasing Steve Mallory cross, which nobody anticipated, showed their intent. Bridge had hardly been out of their half when they struck the opening goal on 8 minutes and in a somewhat perplexing manner. Marcus Philpott timed his run perfectly to collect a Coghlin’s chipped pass and beat the onrushing Martin Simpson only to see his goal bound shot hit the post before being tapped home by Bridge’s influential captain Paul Vincent. Bridge’s joy appeared short lived as the referee consulted his Assistant about a possible offside but following his negative response a penalty was awarded with no recrimination to any player. Fortunately Vincent kept cool under the pressure and slammed the ball into the roof of Simpson’s net. Jamie Thompson then fired wide for the home side and a powerful 25 yard effort from Mick Mills was comfortably dealt with by Hogg. It was not all one way traffic, however, with a tantalising run and cross by Paul Eagling just failing to pick out Philpott whist at the other end it was Tony Hilton’s turn to be denied by Hogg before the Bridge keeper brought out other fine saves to thwart Mallory and then Thompson. It was very much the same after the interval with Bridge’s steadfast application restricting Bardsey to long range efforts. As the home side became more stretched it was Bridge who had a great chance to consolidate their position when Eagling set up Andy Kent, but the former Knaresborough player, on his full debut, missed the target. This was soon forgotten on the hour when Philpott gave Simpson no chance with a superb volley following good approach play from Andy Layton and Eagling. Fourteen minutes later Vincent chased down a Stuart Henry through ball, winning his battle for possession with the keeper to chip in the third off the post. An excellent team effort secured Bridge the points but full credit to Bardsey who never gave up and in the last 10 minutes Hogg saved brilliantly from Hilton, Matt Carry shot wide before seeing his point blank effort blocked by Paffett. 
MOM S Tovey.