Trojans crowned as Division Two champions (From Wharfedale Observer)

Trojans crowned as Division Two champions

6:44pm Thursday 10th May 2012 in Sport

Bramham 0 Burley Trojans 5

Burley Trojans were crowned Darrogate League Division Two champions after a comprehensive victory over Bramham on Saturday.

The fixture was moved to Boston Spa where the larger pitch appeared to suit Trojans’ fluent passing style.

Trojans reverted to a 4-4-2 formation knowing that a point was enough to clinch the title, however, it was evident from the kick off that Burley wanted nothing less than the three points.

Within minutes Simon Walker was put through and shot narrowly wide.

The irrepressible Lee McGowan was soon to settle any Trojans nerves, when he too was put through and after some hesitation from the home keeper, McGowan coolly slotted the ball home.

Bramham were not going to go down without a fight and Trojans only went in to half time 1-0 up thanks to some last ditch saves by veteran 'keeper Tim Fendyke and a goalline clearance from Matt Steer. Without them their, nerves may have been slightly more frayed.

Burley produced one of their finest second halves of the season and it was enough to see them wrap up the title in style.

With around ten minutes of the second half gone, Burley were awarded a penalty which seemed a harsh decision as the home defender was adjudged to have handled a rasping drive from Ben Garnham.

Trojans were not to complain and McGowan stepped up and again showed a cool finish hitting the side netting despite the 'keeper guessing the right way.

Substitute Richard Bryan was introduced and straight away was into the action, providing hard tackles and fresh legs, after replacing the impressive Jonny Keith who suffered an achilles injury.

In a fluent move involving at least six passes, a floated ball in to the box was met on the half volley by Bryan who powered his shot in to the roof of the net.

In a matter of minutes, Trojans cause was helped with two incidents involving Steer that put the game beyond Bramham’s reach.

The first saw a clash of heads result in Bramham’s best forward receiving a cut eye which forced him to leave the field.

Moments later when the game resumed and after shepherding the ball back to his 'keeper, the Bramham No.6 needlessly kicked out at Steer which saw the home side reduced to ten men.

In his final game for the Trojans and on an eventful afternoon, Steer was to bow out in style with a towering header from a Simon Walker pin-point free kick to make it 4-0.

Knowing that the League Trophy was all but won, Trojans began to pass the ball about.

Guy Smith began to surge forward from defence and tireless work from Walker, McGowan and Ben Garnham reaped rewards with a fifth goal.

Trojans saved the best until last. Garnham, wearing a pair of luminous green boots, topped what has been a good season for him with a crisply taken left-foot volley.

Skipper James Hoskin was spraying the champagne at the final whistle and it was to be a double celebration, as manager Craig Renton celebrated the birth of his daughter earlier in the day.