Pool 5 Brighouse Town 0

THIS was one of Pool's best all-round performance of the season against a skilful young Brighouse team.

Pool were hungry for the ball, and countered the visitors excellent football with skill of their own and some invaluable bite.

Pool took a deserved lead in the West Riding County Cup clash via a superb individual goal from Tom Fleming who cleverly beat four defenders before rounding the keeper for a cool finish.

They soon doubled their advantage when James Carroll got onto the end of a corner to head home with confidence.

Sound defending from Jordan Wagstaff and Temilada Ajimoko coupled with a fine near-post block from keeper Michael Tosney kept the two-goal cushion safe at the interval.

Pool were more dominant in the second half with Nick Hewitt outstanding in midfield, Grant Bligh impressing with his work rate and Billy Drake dominating in the air.

Brighouse had a good period of pressure but the Pool defence remained resolute.

One of many fine runs by Robert Cross culminated in a shot coming back off the keeper to Steve Preston who fired home powerfully from an acute angle to extend Pool's lead.

Preston was on hand again for his second and Pool's fourth goal, and then went on to complete his hat-trick with a more straight forward goal from close range.

Substitutes Max Drake and Harvey Atkinson maintained the standard when they were called into action to complete a good day for Pool.