Thornhill Trojans edged out by leaders after Lee’s last-gasp penalty kick is off target
Thornhill Trojans produced a battling performance on their visit to National League Yorkshire A Conference leaders Keighley Albion and were unlucky not to come away with at least a draw.
The game was played in a constant drizzle, but this failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the Trojans as they produced one of their best performances of the season and were unluckily edged out 16-14.
Playing up the slope in the first half, the Trojans really took the game to the home team to build what appeared to be a solid half-time lead.
Man of the match Bailey Lee was in fine form with some great cover tackling and shrewd ball distribution. This enthusiasm kept the Trojans ticking over. There was also a great showing from prop forward Reece Nicholson as he registered a brace of tries.
The first of these tries came when he ran a fine angle to collect the ball from close range and bounced over to the side of the posts. Lee converted.
Thornhill were buoyed by this early score and played with confidence, forcing Keighley to raise their game.
Eventually the hosts used the slope to their advantage. Good handling saw the ball shipped out to the wing, Evan Jones collected the ball and slid over for a try in the corner. Ben Stead converted.
But this try was swiftly cancelled out by Thornhill when Oli Boocock made a break from acting-half. He took play towards the posts then, with the try line in close range, sent out a pass to his left which put the supporting Nicholson over for his second try. Lee again converted.
By now Albion could be seen to be becoming frustrated as the game was not quite going to plan. Just before half time tempers boiled over and the referee sent Thornhill's Mikey Greensmith to the sin-bin for retaliation.
A penalty goal from straight from the restart nudged the Trojans further in front, but then a silly phase marched the home team into a dangerous position close to the try line. First Thornhill were penalised for back chat to the referee. This was quickly followed by another penalty for holding down. From this Jak Adams barged over for a try converted by Stead.
The try which finally put Keighley in front was scored in the corner by Lewis Hutchinson. This came on the back of some good handling. There was a disturbance in back play, but the referee awarded the unconverted try to give Albion a narrow two-point lead.
In the final minute Thornhill were awarded a penalty, but Lee's attempt to level the scores with a long range goal attempt went wide of the posts.
Albion were penalised from the restart and Lee lined up another penalty goal attempt. This time the ball went high in the air but was once again off target, so the hosts hung onto their narrow lead.