Wednesday 17^th April 2002
Pennine League Division 3
Liversedge 13 Keighley Albion A 16

Albion set off at a great rate in this Wednesday evening clash but still managed to make hard work of this victory. 

The first minute went well, the kick-off by Liversedge was driven strongly downfield by Danny Bowness, Scott Belamy and Garry Boocock.  This put the home defence on the back foot and Steve Cullen spotted a gap to shoot straight through, round the full-back and score from 40m out.  Danny Bowness added the easy conversion.

Albion continued to pile on the pressure.  But it was Liversedge who benefitted most when a loose pass was intercepted by the centre who went 50m to the posts.  The conversion was a formality.

The Keighley side hit back again.  Danny Brophy was roughed up in the tackle.  Danny Bowness kicked deep into the corner for the penalty.  Several drives later Garry Boocock strolled over in the corner.  The difficult conversion just went wide.

Again Albion found it hard to hold on to their lead.  A dropped ball in their 20m area gifted possession to Liversedge.  Sure enough a few tackles later a forward forced his way over.  Under the posts so the conversion was easy.

This made the score 12-10 after 14 minutes of play and so a lot more looked likely.  However this was the last score of the half.  Albion certainly tried, Steve Cullen made another 40m break but lost his footing on the way round the full-back.  Liversedge weren t lying down either, Colin Pickles made a classic tackle, the full-back bundling the home winger into touch when he was clean through.  Finally on the last tackle of the half Albion defenders held an attacker up over the line.  Half-time score 12-10.

It was a tight second half.  On 48 minutes a penalty after Colin Pickles was held down in front of the posts gave Danny Bowness an easy opportunity to tie the scores which he took.  10 minutes later another foray to the line saw Ben Farrar and Steve Wrench drive close.  Then James Feather seized the opportunity to dive over from short range.  There was no conversion.

This small lead ratcheted up the tension even more.  However the only response Liversedge could manage was a drop goal.  This occurred with 15 minutes to go and Albion held on with the ferocious tackling of Garry Boocock, Danny Bowness and Mark Smith unsettling the home pack.

Albion are at home (Highfield) for the next two matches.   Saturday 20^th vs Sowerby Spartans and Wednesday 24^th vs Boothtown Terriers.
Tim Cooper

Return to the home page