Pool find 'Bridge Out of Depth

Boroughbridge AFC 1, Pool AFC 2

West Yorkshire Premier League – 08.03.08

"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark" - Michelangelo

After the euphoria of beating Bardsey last week, much was expected for the visit of Pool, a team in the bottom reaches of the League who could not be expected to be as tough a prospect as the reigning champions. Sadly it appears that much of the team had the impression that nothing too strenuous was required and an easy victory was only a formality. Pool thought otherwise.

Although Aldborough Road was again buffeted by the strong winds that have been so prevalent over recent weeks, the teams took to the pitch in fine sunny conditions. The lashing rain which accompanied the last few minutes must have reflected the mood change during the match of manager Daz Ekin - from bright and optimistic to wet and miserable. If the team had shown that they can compete with the best against Bardsey, they also showed they can be on a level with the worst against Pool. Whilst battling against a first half headwind, they appeared to be over-elaborating when in space; nobody taking command of the situation or doing the type of things that were in abundance against Bardsey. With the wind behind them in the second half, they were a pale imitation of the victorious team of last week whilst Pool forced the game, played better football and were a better team all round.

Daz Ekin shuffled his pack, starting Danny Webster and the fit again Paul Eagling. Miguel Lopez returned to left back after a few years away, whilst Baz O'Neill dropped to the bench despite some fine recent form. Before we had time to decide how this would affect the team, Pool were in front. Shaun Joyce latched onto a long punt on the right wing and raced straight for goal. His shot which was hit across the goalmouth might have gone into touch on a calm day, but instead Alastair Hogg could do little as the wind diverted it round him enough to strike the foot of the left post and into the net. It did little to rouse 'Bridge, and we were forced to endure a dour first half lacking in quality from both sides and certainly lacking in enthusiasm from the home team. Pool looked to use the wind whilst it was with them, Neil Ebdon (twice) and Martin Booth both shooting from distance but both watching their efforts go high and wide. We had to wait until the 24th minute for anything from 'Bridge as Paul Eagling made a fantastic run down the left wing before rounding two markers and attempting to square the ball, seeing his effort blocked. With much of the better movement coming from pool, Frank Moran linked up with Joyce who hit a crisp shot as he moved into the area, Hogg doing well to push the ball to his right for a corner. This type of simple direct play seemed a million miles away from the minds of the home side, who when moving forward seemed bereft of ideas to unlock the Pool defence. As the half wore on, a couple of chances fell to Charles Walbrook which on another day, he would expect to make something of. Firstly he found himself one on one with the keeper around the penalty spot but couldn't dig out a shot and the danger was mopped up; he then found himself moving into position again but Paul Wilkinson dispossessed him to keep Pool in the lead going into the break.

Half Time – Boroughbridge AFC 0, Pool AFC 1

If Daz Ekin had anything to say that could motivate the home side, it didn't work. There was at least the first half consolation of fighting against the wind; after the break there was no excuse. Sadly the half got off to a bad start as Ben Clayton fell awkwardly under pressure injuring his ankle and was carried from the pitch, being replaced by Danny Purvis. At the time, it looked like a trip to hospital might be in order but thankfully the joint didn't swell too badly and ice and rest should hopefully minimise any absence for our young star. From there on things just got worse as Pool turned the screw and gave the home side the run around. On 13 minutes Eagling did get forward on the wing, rounding both defenders and keeper but seeing his shot blocked; the ball fell to Walbrook who disappointingly blazed over from 10 yards. As the home performance deteriorated, Pool continued to press. With 20 minutes to go White did well to hold off Webster and Mark Tyson but put the ball across the face of the goal where no Pool forward was available. Just two minutes later Hogg stuck out a leg to deny Joyce from 6 yards, and this looked to be crucial a further 4 minutes on. Marcus Philpott raced onto a long ball to the left of the centre and cleverly lobbed the ball as he was closed down, the keeper stranded in the middle and only able to watch the ball drop over his head for the equaliser. In truth it was undeserved and 'Bridge did little to demonstrate they were back in the game. O'Neill had replaced Walbrook but little changed. As the clocked ticked down, Tyson was on hand to take the ball off the shooting boots of Michael Jordan, but it broke free to Ben Townsend who was in turn dispossessed by Ben Darville to deny 2 scoring chances. Purvis likewise was required to turn the ball away from 6 yards in the next move. With just a minute of normal time left though, Matthew White ran through powerfully on the left before striking a rasping shot which Hogg got a glove to but could not stop going in. All Pool needed to do was see out time for a much deserved win, although 'Bridge at last seemed to realise they were losing. Both Eagling and Darville were able to get onto diagonal balls from Chris Stephenson but neither could find a finish.

As the rain fell, even the official's assessor looked relieved when the whistle came. Ekin looked a forlorn figure on the touchline. Perhaps the worst performance of the season had followed one of the best. Looking for positives wasn't easy but Tyson was deservedly the Man of the Match, whilst Clayton and Darville seemed to be linking up well before the enforced separation. Hogg couldn't really be faulted for either goal, but as a team it was a performance to forget instantly. Next week sees the visit of Spa Athletic for the Whitworth Cup Semi-final, a trophy currently held by 'Bridge. All concerned need to aim a little higher if they have any hope of retaining their title.

Full Time – Boroughbridge AFC 1, Pool AFC 2

Man of Match – Mark Tyson

Boroughbridge AFC - A Hogg, B Clayton, M Lopez, C Stephenson, A Layton, M Tyson, B Darville, D Webster, M Philpott, P Eagling, C Walbrook. Subs D Purvis, B O'Neill, S Tovey
Goal Scorers – Philpott 78; Booked - Purvis, Hogg.

Pool AFC – E Neale, M Booth, P Newsome, C Thompson, R Graham, P Wilkinson, N Ebdon, M White, S Joyce, M Jordan, F Moran. Subs T Holdsworth, B Townsend
Goal Scorers – Joyce 1, White 89.