West Yorkshire League: Bligh starts life at Knaresborough Town with close defeat

Brad Walker, Fraser Lancaster, Mark Fox and Ally Wilson all got on the scoresheet for Bligh’s side but it wasn’t enough to prevent them their new manager suffering a defeat on his debut.

Despite taking an early lead, Beeston showed their class and built a 5-2 lead at the break before a spirited second half performance which almost rescued a draw.

Bligh said that it was ‘great’ to see how his side performed after suffering four weeks of postponed fixtures but believes the enforced break had a negative impact on them.

He said: “In the first half we had a great start and got the early goal but individual mistakes cost us massively and the players, in my opinion were a little tight by wanting to impress.

“They did not want to make any mistakes and that affected their performance, so I let them know that at half time.

“We were 5-2 down with nothing to lose and I told them I wanted them to play their football and enjoy it.

“In the second half I thought there was only one team going to win it but they just ran out of time. We did really well in the second half and I think the lads realised that I am more of a thinker not a screamer.”

Boroughbridge remain in the West Yorkshire Premier Division’s relegation zone after a 3-1 away defeat to Leeds City.

Tom Beasley gave Ekin’s side the lead after eleven minutes which they hung on to until half time but three second half goals condemned ‘Bridge to their thirteenth defeat of the season.

The West Riding County Challenge Cup returns on Saturday with Ekin’s side, Knaresborough Town Reserves and Bardsey all in action.

Bardsey face Northowram with Lee Barraclough hoping to add the trophy to his managerial CV after claiming it as a player.