Kirkburton had to settle for a point after a 2-2 home draw with Lower Hopton in the West Riding County Amateur League’s Premier Division.
Former Kirkburton player Michael Reynolds brought his mid-table team to Hallas Road for Kirkburton’s last home game of the season.
Manager Shane Kelly did a matchday signing for the game and sent Dan Ingham up front with youngster James capewell which was to pay-off.
It was Lower Hopton who had the first real chance after 10 minutes when veteran Lincoln Adams received the ball in the area with his back to goal turned swiveled and shot sending the ball just wide of jack peacock’s upright.
However, it was Kirkburton and new signing Ingham who broke the deadlock when he received the ball from Mikey Vickerman and beat former AFC Emley’s keeper Mick Clark at his near post.
However, Clark got the better of Ingham a minute later when he saved from a shot.
Lower Hopton had a few chances to equalize in the next 25 minutes but couldn’t finish, with Peacock making two brilliant saves.
In the 40th minute Kirkburton made it 2-0 through some great skills by captain for the day Steve Chandler, he beat two men and then sent a precision pass to Capewell who lifted the ball over Clark.
Kirkburton nearly made it three just after the second half started with some intricate passing between Ingham, and another youngster Joel Harrison with the latter just failing to beat the goal keeper.
It didn’t look like it was going to be Lower Hopton’s day with chances falling to Lockwood, Adams, Hildred all of them shooting wide.
Then in the 60th minute they got a lucky break the left winger received the ball in an offside position which referee John Connolly didn’t see, he then proceeded to cross the ball into the area were Adams was on hand to blast the ball into the roof of the net.
Ingham was giving the Lower Hopton defence the run-around and was unlucky on two occasions one which the defender just sent the ball past his keeper’s upright from his shot and the other the keeper made a good save.
Hopton got their equalizer in the 65th minute when Aiden Schofield found himself unmarked to head home.
Both teams had chances to take all three points in the last 20 minutes of the game, but a draw was a fair result.
Kirkburton have their final game of the season next week, away against Golcar, so after that boss Kelly will be out scouting for new players to boost their quest to challenge for the title next season – along with a reserve side.
