Harrogate & District Association Football League Division 2
12th April 2005
Pateley Bridge 2 v Ripon Red Arrows 4
Although Anthony Mackle’s powerful volley had put the Arrows ahead within the first five minutes of the match, it wasn’t until the second half that things really started to heat up.
Within minutes Anthony Mackle, assisted by Matthew Clarke, skilfully lobbed the keeper and found the back of the net for the Arrows yet again. Taking advantage of an Arrows’ defensive mix-up, Pateley Bridge brought themselves back into the game ten minutes later. Twenty minutes of play remaining and Matthew Clarke increased the Arrows lead with a fine header. Four minutes later, Lee Fagg’s stunning solo run paid dividends and made it 4-1 in favour of the Arrows.
Albeit that Pateley Bridge managed to score once more before the final whistle they were unable to deny Ripon Red Arrows’ three point claim.
Harrogate & District Association Football League Division 2
09th April 2005
With a 5-1 victory, Ripon Red Arrows leapt over opponents Albert in table rankings this week.
Anthony Mackle’s comfortable penalty conversion in the twenty first minute put the Arrow’s ahead. Fifteen minutes later, with the assistance of Lee Fagg, Anthony Mackle scored again.
Early in the second-half Albert demonstrate their recent good form and earned a goal. Seven minutes later an opportunity to level the scores came when the visitors were awarded a penalty. Convincingly saving it with a fine parry, Arrow’s keeper, Andy Kirkbright, however dashed all hopes.
With thirty minutes left, Lee Fagg looped an Arrows’ free kick over the defence and into the far corner. Increasing the score-line even further, Anthony Mackle made his hat-trick when he safely converted his second penalty. Unable to follow suit, Albert sent their second penalty way over the crossbar.
This thoroughly professional display by the Arrows was rounded off in the eight fifth minute with a fine lay-off from player-manager Dave Cooper and a tap in for Bob Mackle.
Harrogate & District Association Football League Division 2
07th April 2005
Ripon City Magnets A 1 v Ripon Red Arrows 2
This local derby finally came to life in the forty third minute when Arrow’s striker, Danny Sheppherd, struck a long curling shot into the Magnets’ net.
In the second-half scores were levelled when Arrows’ substitute, Matthew Clarke, entered the fray and scored an unfortunate own goal. Capitalising on a defensive error Anthony Mackle finally broke the deadlock in the seventy fifth minute and put the Arrows back in front. Despite a change in format for the Magnets, stout defending by the Arrows in the closing minutes of play ensured victory
Harrogate & District Association Football League Division 2
02nd April 2005
Empress 1 v Ripon Red Arrows 2
Ripon Red Arrows returned to their recent good form this week when they beat Empress 2-1.
Although the Arrows had several early chances to take the lead, it was Empress who capitalised first in the twenty first minute. With their new found confidence the home side continued to attack and put Arrows keeper, Andy Kirkbright, under pressure. However, with the first-half drawing to a close, an inspired Arrow’s mid-fielder, Bob Mackle, took the ball and, having committed the Empress keeper, placed it in a perfect position for Danny Shepherd to tap over the line.
With shot after shot from both sides just missing the target, the second-half was full of drama. Finally, with only one minute to go, Danny Shepherd secured three points for the Arrows as his left-footed curled shot went in off the far post.
Harrogate & District Association Football League Division 2
19th March 2005
Harlow Hill 2 v Ripon Red Arrows 1
Ripon Red Arrows put up a brave fight against Harlow Hill Reserves. Despite been injury stricken, Arrows held off the home side until the fortieth minute when their low free kick found the net. Two minutes later Harlow Hill took the score to 2-0 when they managed to scrappily convert a corner.
With everything to play for, Arrows dug deep and, in the sixty seventh minute, Bob Mackle’s corner was headed in at the near post. In spite of their valiant efforts, however, Arrows were unable to equalise and Harlow Hill took all three points.
Harrogate & District Association Football League Division 2
12th March 2005
Ripon Red Arrows 3 v Harlow Hill 5
Ripon Red Arrows’ unbeaten run was stopped dead in its tracks this week when they played host to Harlow Hill Reserves.
Twenty five minutes in and the visitors’ keeper managed to tip Arrows’ defender Victor Todd’s shot over the crossbar by the narrowest of margins. Clearly still feeling the pressure as the corner was played, his miscalculation resulted in an own goal. Despite Dave Ward demonstrating some resourceful defending Harlow Hill equalized eleven minutes later.
Moments into the second half Harlow Hill made the most of the Arrows’ complacency and took a 1-2 lead. Four minutes later Arrow’s keeper, Andy Kirkbright, regained control as he securely held the previously parried shot.
Undeterred, Harlow Hill continued to strike hard and scored a further two times in six minutes. Increasing their advantage again in the seventy fourth minute the visitors took the score to 1-5.
Minutes later Shaun Puttock drove Matthew Clarke’s low corner neatly into the back of the net. Ten minutes remaining and the Arrows were awarded a penalty which Lee Fagg converted. With this change in score to 3-5 came the return of the feistiness which both teams had demonstrated in the first half. For the Arrows, however, it was too little too late.
Playing the return match away next week the Arrows have another chance to regain their recent form.
Harrogate & District Association Football League Division 2
05th March 2005
Ripon Red Arrows 3 v Hampsthwaite 1
The game started tight with both sides trying to take control. Hampsthwaite, however, manage to take the lead in the sixteenth minute with a somewhat scrambled goal. Seven minutes later Arrows’ player-manager, Dave Cooper, sent a left footed curling shot from thirty yards onto the crossbar.
With the half-time score standing at 0-1 in Hampsthwaite’s favour the Arrows had to move up a gear if they were to keep their unbeaten record on track. In the fifty second minute Dave Cooper’s shot from Dave Freeman’s corner is parried by the Keeper. Collecting the ball Shaun Puttock coolly cleaned up to level the score. Eight minutes later Shaun Puttock attacked again, beating the Hampstwaite goalkeeper with a lob.
Although the Arrows had a 2-1 advantage they refused to become complacent. Working as a team, Darren Gendall passed Matthew Clarke’s corner onto Shaun Puttock. Going for his hat-trick with only the keeper to beat the heavy ground brought him down.
Fifteen minutes remaining and Hampsthwaite tried to take advantage of the Arrows’ ten-man team. Defender Victor Todd, however, cleared the shot off the line. Quickly returning fire for the Arrows, Matthew Clarke brought the final score to 3-1.
Harrogate & District Association Football League Division 2
19th February 2005 Referee: Mr Sweeney
Ripon Red Arrows’ dominant efforts were rewarded in the twenty third minute when, having received the ball with pin point precision from Darren Gendall, Lee Fagg raced down the left-hand side of the field and skilfully nutmegged Pannal Sports Reserves’ keeper. Ten minutes later, however, the visitor’s cheeky chip levelled the score.
In a bid to break the deadlock Pannal Sports Reserves rallied but, with only minutes remaining, Andy Kirkbright’s safe hands were once again a point winner and extend Red Arrows unbeaten run to 4 games.
Harrogate & District Association Football League Division 2
12th February 2005 Referee: Mr Hirst
Ripon Red Arrows 4 v Empress 2
Victor Todd placed the Arrows in front within the first minute when he secured a goal from the reflex shot of Matthew Clarke’s parried attempt. Empress rallied two strikes in reply but both easily cleared the bar. In the thirtieth minute Matthew Clarke struck again and took the Arrows into a 2-0 lead. Three minutes before half-time the visitors had their first real shot on target. However it was no match for Arrows keeper, Andy Kirkbright, who saved it comfortably.
Two minutes into the second half Hulme Cup semi-finalists, Empress, were awarded a corner and scored. With twenty minutes to go and only ten men, the Arrows had their work cut out. Empress continued on the attack but Andy Kirkbright’s safe hands once again held fast for the home side.
Twelve minutes left and the Arrows felt Lee Fagg’s disappointment as his shot is only beaten by the erratic, swirling wind. Undeterred, Fagg continued his onslaught and fired two shots home within four minutes.
Although Empress scored a second goal in the last minute of injury time, it was not enough to deny the Arrows another three point victory.
Harrogate & District Association Football League Division 2
05th February 2005 Referee: Mr Barker
Hampswaite 2 v Ripon Red Arrows 4
Although Ripon Red Arrows were initially put under pressure by a rampant Hampsthwaite side, Matthew Clarke took the Arrows into an early lead in the eighth minute. End to end play remained fast and furious. Then in the twenty second minute Matthew Clarke’s shot from eighteen yards hit the cross bar and fell over the line. This took the Arrows into a 2-0 lead.
Four minutes later the home side were awarded a penalty and scored. Both teams continued to battle hard but with only five minutes left to the half-time whistle, Hampsthwaite levelled the score.
Neither the visitors nor the home side were prepared to let this match slip away without a fight. With each side appearing to be in deadlock Dave Cooper, Arrows player-manager, came on. The Arrows immediately seemed to raise their game and, with skilful control, Cooper placed the ball in the bottom right corner. Seven minutes later Dave Freeman clinically finished Matthew Clarke’s strike which had been parried away by the keeper.
Throughout the remaining fifteen minutes the Arrows kept control. Full-time score 2-4 to the visitors.
Harrogate & District Association Football League Division 2
29th January 2005 Referee: Mr Gaddas
Ripon Red Arrows 2 v Bramham 2
As the visitors, Bramham, scored in the sixth minute, this return match looked to echo that of last weeks 7-3 defeat for Ripon Red Arrows. Twelve minutes later, however, Dave Ward caught Bramham defenders napping. Surging forward the ball found the feet of Lee Fagg who, having comfortably beaten the goalkeeper, brought the scores level. Again and again the visitors tried to break the Arrows defence but as they kept their cool Bramham strikers’ tempers started to fray.
Thirty two minutes in and the visitors regained the lead. The Arrows fought back in vain and at half-time the score stood at 1-2 in Bramham’s favour.
The second half saw the Arrows return fire and, in the sixty fifth minute, Bob Mackle, assisted by Lee Fagg, scored. In a bid to keep their unbeaten record Bramham tried to increase the pressure but, working hard, the Arrows stood strong. Then, with less than a minute to go, Bramham were awarded a penalty. Once again Andy Kirkbright’s goalkeeping skills were put to the test and, as a result of his outstanding save, mighty Bramham had to settle for a draw.
22nd January 2005 Referee: Mr Coles
Bramham 7 v Ripon Red Arrows 3
Ripon Red
Arrows looked to have there work cut out when Bramham scored five minutes
into the game. However one minute later Matthew Clarke made an excellent run
for the Arrows, only to be beaten by the heavy ground. Bramham replied again
by trying to put the defenders under pressure but there attempts were no
match for Andy Kirkbright’s goal keeping,
which was outstanding throughout the game.
Then, in the thirteenth minute Anthony Mackle, assisted by Darren Gendall, scored for the Arrows. Three minutes later Anthony Mackle scored another cracking goal. Although Bramham tried to take control the Arrows’ defence stood strong until the twenty fourth minute when the equaliser came.
With level scores at half-time both teams had everything to play for, however one minute into the second half Bramham seemed to catch the visitors napping and took the lead. With an unfortunate own goal in the fifty fifth minute and another by the home side in the seventy first, Bramham looked to have the game sown up. Lee Fagg, however, took the home side by surprise and, with the Danny Shepherd’s aid, set Anthony Mackle up for his hat-trick in the eighty second minute. Just as things were looking up for the visitors, Bramham once again replied with goals in the eighty second and ninety first minute.
As the referee, Mr Coles, blew his whistle on an excellently marshalled match, this late flurry of goals brought the final score to: Bramham 7, Ripon Red Arrows 3. With the Ripon Red Arrows hosting the return match next week they still have a chance to beat the mighty division leaders.
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