BEESTON ST ANTHONY'S RES 4 BOROUGHBRIDGE RES 0
Three late goals flattered to deceive as Bridge really should have got something out of this fixture. After a tentative opening from both sides Dave Coffey and Ross Hamilton began to take control of midfield and with Paul and Jamie Smith (no relation) a constant threat it was Bridge who were creating the chances. Jamie Smith had the first real opportunity when he connected with a Steve Kirby free kick only to be denied by a brilliant save from Paul Graham and five minutes later Paul Smith weaved his way in from the left and smacked the ball against the post with Graham well beaten. As in recent weeks Bridge's failure to capitalise on their chances once more proved their undoing when Stuart Fielding was left unmarked as the ball dropped his way from a Beeston corner. An injury to Andy Hall meant the introduction of Johnny Hunt and his first telling contribution was to send in an inch perfect cross only for Graham to pull off an amazing double save to deny J Smith the equaliser. Bridge continued their quest for parity but they could not piece a stubborn home defence or the brilliant Graham. The substitution of Smith for Adam Wix seemed to have done the trick when he raced through only to be felled by a crude challenge from Graham who was lucky to escape with just a yellow card. To compound this injustice the visitors felt hard done again when Fielding was allowed to continue his run, despite vain appeals for offside, to round Barton and finish with ease. Paul Courtney rubbed salt into the wound with an astute lob and Bridge's spirit was finally broken by a Ben Haigh goal as they conceded three goals in the last six minutes and have gained one point from their last four outings. Several fine performances went unrewarded with Dave Coffey and Dave Burniston the pick of the bunch
MOM D Coffey & D Burniston