Town end on a high note with four-goal blast

2:55pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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Barnoldswick Town 4 Coppull United 0

Barnoldswick Town were out to put the memory of the West Riding Cup final behind them and finish on a high note. This they did playing some very attractive football in the process.

Town went one up in the third minute when skipper Stewart Airdrie played the ball through to Martin Whittaker who stroked the ball past the keeper into the far corner. Town then broke down the Coppull right and Airdrie again played a delightful ball across the penalty area where Mick Holt hit a thunderous shot against the bar.

Town doubled their lead when Neil Chapman was played through and he gave the keeper no chance from close in. At times Town were playing some great football and in one passage of play a long ball out of defence was headed on by Holt to Airdrie. His cross was met by Robbie Smith but he could not get the required power behind the shot and the keeper was able to save with his feet.

It wasn't all Town and Mitch Walker had to be on his toes to tip the ball round the post for a corner. Town hit back immediately when Chapman volleyed goalwards from the edge of the six yard box and struck the bar.

The ball fell kindly to Airdrie but he could not get much pace on his header and the keeper saved so it was 2-0 at half-time and Town well worth the lead.

Town substituted Jack Overson for Shaun Clough (51 minutes). Walker then had to make a smart save to keep a good header out.

Town scored their third when Chapman was played out wide right and his cross was dummied by Holt. This threw the Coppull defence into confusion and Smith was there to apply the finishing touch Town took Whittaker off after 69 minutes, replacing him with Craig Bradshaw.

The fourth goal came in the 87th minute and it could have been either Airdrie or Smith who scored it, Airdrie unselfishly leaving it to Smith to get his second goal from the edge of the six yard area.

A good note to finish the season on and banish the disappointment of losing the cup final last Friday.