MARSHAL TYRES sponsored Pocklington recorded their first winning "double" of the season as they beat Brid Sports away last weekend in a gritty, hard working performance that made up in commitment from both sides what it was lacking in quality. That this was also only Pocks second clean sheet of the season, the other one also being a 1-0 home win against Brid back in August, said a lot about the defensive problems that Pock have had since then but this was a result that answered a lot of questions about the teams character on the day.

 

With Captain Mark Watkinson struggling to overcome an ankle problem and forced onto the bench, Pock were glad to welcome new signing Robin Walker into their starting line up at centre back alongside Stu Lawson and with no recognised full back available, a reshuffle meant a surprise to see James Haigh, one of Towns main creative outlets starting at left back on a bumpy heavy pitch.

 

Pock almost made the perfect start to the game when a pass back to keeper Adam Thomas in the second minute was kicked long and over the Brid defence for Scott Sullivan to race on to. His squared ball beat the defensive cover and only needed a tap in at the far post but David O'Connor was just unable to apply the necessary touch. On the small narrow pitch, Thomas put Sullivan through again on 10 minutes but the lack of a decent connection allowed the Brid keeper to make a routine save as Pock pressed the home side back. The pressure told on 14 minutes when a handball was awarded against a Brid defender on the left hand side of the area about 25 yards out and an excellently struck free kick by Greg Nesbitt dipped over the wall and under the bar for a superb goal.

 

Brid nearly levelled on 20 minutes when Pock allowed them too much space from a throw in and a sizzling 30 yarder was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Thomas but Town were unlucky not to increase their lead on 26 minutes when a cross from Tom Rogers was met by the head of O'Connor only to see the Brid keeper tip the effort onto the bar and away to safety. Tom Reay, Sullivan and Rogers all had shots that lacked the quality to trouble the Brid goal as Pock finished the half on top but in need of a second goal to settle the game down and a positive half time team talk sent them out knowing what was required.

 

A Town corner on 53 minutes was cleared to the edge of the area where it was fizzed back in back a well struck Rogers volley, only for the keeper to make a great parry to his right for the save but with Brid pushing more men forward in search of the equaliser, Town were forced deeper as the half wore on. A miskicked clearance from Thomas almost brought a comedy leveller, with Towns stopper scrambling back just in time to make a save on the line from a first time effort from distance but with Pock wasting chances to kill the game off, they had to dig deep and defend superbly to restrict Brid to long range efforts on the Pock goal.

 

Walker, Drewery, Haigh and Lawson all made excellent blocks, tackles and interceptions as Brid probed and with the central midfield of Rogers and Nesbitt aided by substitutes Rob Gibson, Watkinson and Dan Boneham all doing their bit, Town failed to find that bit of quality on the counter attack with poor final ball being a problem. Despite this, the squad showed great character to see the game out and record a good 3 points but will travel to take on Sculcoates Amateurs t his Saturday knowing that an improvement on the ball will be needed if they are to come away from what is always a difficult away trip. Players meet at the club at 12 midday please.