BOROUGHBRIDGE RES 1 KNARESBOROUGH RES. 0
A pre match comment from a Knaresborough spectator that the two clubs might not meet next year due to Bridge’s precarious position in the table certainly wasn’t reflected on the field where a Baz O’Neill goal proved to be the difference in this local derby.  The visitors’ confidence was epitomised by their team sheet which had four players on the bench who had played in last month’s narrow cup defeat but it was Bridge who struck the important blow on the half hour mark when Jamie Smith headed down a Steve Kirby free kick into the path of O’Neill to prod the ball past a stranded Lewis Mallinson. Chances were at a premium throughout the game as defences generally dominated with the midfield area a real battle ground as Bridge’s Dave Coffey and Gary Shaw fought for supremacy over the visitors’ Matt Whitehead & James Bradley. Danny Broughton did bring out a fine save from Mallinson with a 25 yard free kick and Ollie Barton had to be on his toes to deny Joel Freestone’s effort just before the break. The intensity of the first half continued after the interval with both teams high on endeavour and commitment but bringing only two serious goal scoring opportunities. The first came from Freestone who shot tamely wide after escaping, for once, the clutches of Kirby and Ben Mudd and the second was a Paul Smith effort that hit the side netting after he had been played in by a clever Coffey free kick. The visitors did exert some pressure in the last ten minutes only to find their local rivals purposeful to a man and it was Bridge who finished victorious with every member of the squad contributing to the cause.
MOM S Kirby D Coffey B O’Neill