Wharfedale Triangle League Premier Division: Crossflatts Village 2 SkyBet 2

VILLAGE twice came from behind to secure a draw against the league leaders SkyBet in an entertaining game at the Crossflatts Recreation Ground.

The hosts started on the front foot but went a goal down against the run of play after a rare error from keeper Dom Bennett. Bennett came off his line to claim the ball but made a hash of things, allowing Alfie Thornton to give the away side the lead.

Crossflatts evened things up on the hour when player-manager Kevin Gill ended his three-season goal drought – and it was certainly worth waiting for.

Midfield stalwart Matthew Bentham whipped in a trademark corner and was met by a bullet header from Gill, which flew into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance.

Flatts went hunting for a second but the away side went in front for the second time after another rare mistake. This time it was from Peter Atkinson, which allowed Terrence Ncube to put Stephen Quinn through and he finished with aplomb.

Skybet looked to be heading for another league win but Flatts had other ideas. Ollie Metcalfe and man-of-the-match James Gill combined to set up Colin Schofield and he made no mistake.

Flatts blew a golden chance to win the game in the last minute when Michael Garnett’s exquisite cross found substitute Adam Rooney in acres of space, but somehow he fluffed his lines and blasted the ball over from only four yards out.

However, boss Kevin Gill was very happy with his side’s performance against a side who are odds on for the title.

He said: “It was a great game of football played between two top sides in the right manner but we should have got the win. "Ryan Jeffrey was magnificent at right-back and Matthew Bentham was his usual reliable self in the middle of the park, but I was really impressed with the team performance overall.”

The result leaves Village in fourth place, 15 points behind league leaders Sky Bet but with three games in hand.