West Yorkshire League: Rob Dickinson hat-trick puts Bardsey back on track

Bardsey boss Lee Barraclough is confident his champions are back to firing on all cylinders after a slow start.
West Yorkshire League: Robert Dickinson of Bardsey lines up a shot past Otley Town captain Joe CurrieWest Yorkshire League: Robert Dickinson of Bardsey lines up a shot past Otley Town captain Joe Currie
West Yorkshire League: Robert Dickinson of Bardsey lines up a shot past Otley Town captain Joe Currie

Goal machine Rob Dickinson smashed home a hat-trick in Saturday’s 5-1 win away at Otley Town to move Bardsey up to fourth in the West Yorkshire Premier.

The striker has scored eight goals in five games this season

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Steve Mallory and Mike Toney were also on target for the Red and Blacks.

Barraclough said Dickinson was thriving after returning to lead the line, after a failed experiment in midfield.

He said: “Dicko has started well. We did experiment with him in the middle of the park but that didn’t really work out.

“It was a case of taking the fox out of the box. When he is up top, he is unplayable.”

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Bardsey have won four of their seven Premier ties this season, but are only three points behind leaders Field.

Roman Neal came back to haunt former club Wetherby Athletic in last Wednesday’s derby as he smashed home an 88th minute winner.

Neal scored the only goal of the game in a topsy-turvy match both sides had claims to win.

Barraclough added: “We are now getting back up to speed.

“It usually takes us time to get going at the start of the season. It’s always a bit like Ground Hog Day.”

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Wetherby dropped into the bottom four at the weekend after a hard-luck story away at Shelley, losing 3-0.

Athletic were without several first team players as they travelled to money-bags Shelley with a much-changed squad.

Despite seeing his side fail to gain points for the third successive match, manager Mark Forster has been encouraged by his side’s performances.

He said: “The points we currently have do not reflect the good football we have played but illustrate as last season that we seem not to get what we deserve. We need to be stronger and more resilient all round.”