Burley Trojans 5 Bedale Reserves 2

BURLEY Trojans were back in action after a month's lay-off due to weather conditions.

They disposed of Bedale AFC Reserves in the Harrogate League Challenge Cup and progressed to the next round with an accomplished display.

Player-manager Tom Higman set up with five in the middle to try and overwork the away side.

From what was a frantic start with chances either side Burley settled into the game and on the half hour mark Simon Walker grabbed his first of the day.

Being alert to a sloppy back pass he dispossessed the 'keeper, side-stepped a defender and slotted into an empty net.

Trojans were pegged back just before the break when Bedale sent in a free-kick and 'keeper Andy Cromack let the ball slip away from him and Bedale slotted home the equaliser from close range.

Chris Holmes almost grabbed a goal just before the break being set free by a wonderful through ball from Ben Garnham only to see his effort hit the bar.

Higman gave encouragement to his players at half-time and sent the team back out there to finish the job.

It didn’t take too long Dan Henderson, Dom Grimes and Danny Bryan to start linking up in midfield.

A nice break down the left by Eddy Bryan saw the ball cut back to Walker on the edge of the box and the striker neatly slotted home his second goal.

Burley's third came not long after when neat work on the break again by Holmes saw Bryan running into the box to tuck the ball home.

Bedale started throwing balls over the top to try get back into the game and they got their reward when a direct free-kick come cross went straight into the top corner.

Burley kept up the pressure and after Bryan jinked his way into the box he was brought down and Walker stepped up to convert and complete his hat-trick.

Higman sent on Paddy Bibby and his pace and trickery down the left were too much for the Bedale defence and he cut inside to be one-on-one with the 'keeper and rolled it home to make it five for the Trojans.

Burley could have had six with Bibby brought down in the box but Walker dragged his second penalty wide.