Saturday 3rd November 2001
Pennine Division 3
Keighley Albion 'A' 36 Liversedge 12

The Albion second team made it 5 wins in a row as part of their charge up the Pennine Division 3 table.  This was a resounding win against opposition who were just ahead of the Keighley side in the Pennine league and should have given a closer game.

However Albion soon asserted themselves in attack, in the second minute Keith Dixon went close to the line, was fouled and calmly kicked over the easy penalty.  This early setback didn't daunt Liversedge though and they set up a resolute defence which wasn't breached until after 15 minutes when a high Keith Dixon kick was fumbled in front of the posts, regained by Dixon and he put John Williams over.  Dixon then added the extras.

This further misfortune just made the visitors up their efforts in attack and it took forceful tackling from Matthew Robinson and Garry Boocock to repulse them.  Meanwhile in attack the combination of Mark Kellett, Matt Bowness and Keith Dixon was firing strongly and it was no surprise when Dixon put Andy Parker over from close range.

Albion suffered a slight setback when prop Adam Lilley who had been bursting through the Liversedge lines popped his hamstring and lost possession on 25 minutes.  To add insult to injury the visitors then shot over from the resulting scrum for a converted try to give them some hope in the match.

The home side hit back shortly before half-time, quick passing out gave centre Scott Belamy the opportunity to put Gary Baxter in at the corner.  Keith Dixon added the difficult conversion to give a 18-6 lead at the break.

The opening 10 minutes of the second half saw Albion put the game totally out of the visitors reach with 3 tries and 1 conversion.  Mark Kellett started it off by attacking the blind side and putting Dave Sanderson in at the corner.  On the last tackle after the restart Keith Dixon's speculative kick was fumbled 3 times by the winger and Dave Sanderson seized on this to gain a second try.  Keith Dixon converted.  Further pressure saw Garry Boocock go over for a try at short range.

On the 53rd minute Keith Dixon slotted over a penalty.  After this there was to be no further Albion scoring as Liversedge again successfully tightened their defence and a wet ball hampered both attacks.  The Albion defence, lead by Garry Boocock, Matt Robinson and Andy Parker certainly weren't giving anything away and only towards the end when a speculative kick was dropped in front of the posts did Liversedge get a consolation try plus conversion.

As coach Simon Kelk said after the game, "The blend of youth, with Scott Belamy, Danny Brophy and Matty Bowness, and the experience of Andy Parker, Gary Baxter and Keith Dixon, combined with enthusiasm, a superb defence and discipiline are definitely paying dividends.  This is in a division that I regard as a strong one.  A special mention to Matt Robinson who in his first season is having a tremendous one.  If we stick together and train twice a week we will have in my mind a successful campaign."

Next Saturday Albion 'A' play Boothtown Terriers at Highfield, kick off 2pm.

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