West Yorkshire League: Alistair Hogg secures first win as Ripon City boss

Alistair Hogg said he was delighted to register his first victory in the West Yorkshire Premier Division as Ripon City manager on Saturday.
NARG 1408201AM5 Ripon V K'boro. (1408201AM5)NARG 1408201AM5 Ripon V K'boro. (1408201AM5)
NARG 1408201AM5 Ripon V K'boro. (1408201AM5)

Two goals from Ben Jones, as well as one from Kyle Fox, helped Hogg’s side overcome Robin Hood Athletic 3-1.

Ripon City started their season in the Premier Division by conceding seven goals to Beeston St Anthony’s before a thrilling 3-3 draw at home to Knaresborough Town reserves last Wednesday (August 20).

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Another three goals on Saturday, however, was enough to overcome Robin Hood Athletic, who came into the game unbeaten, and Hogg said he was pleased with his side’s performance.

He said: “It was a good game against a very good side but we had the chances and we put them away very well.

“We’ve scored six goals in our last two games and that’s what we like to see but we are still conceding which is no good. But we will definitely get it sorted.

“We started really well and we were 3-0 up at half time. But the important thing was the lads didn’t think the game was over and we kept going in the second half. Nothing changed.”

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After three games, Hogg’s side find themselves ninth in the table with another derby match against Wetherby Athletic to play on Wednesday (August 27) after the paper went to print.

Hogg said he will field the same side for the match against Wetherby despite the heavy run of recent fixtures.

He said: “It will be the same line up as at the weekend as I’m sure the players will recover in time.”

Hogg said he is looking forward to the game and enjoyed the intensity of his side’s recent derby against Knaresborough Town reserves.

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He said: “It was a really good game against Knaresborough. It was one of the matches that they could have won or we could have won.

“That’s the thing about local derbies - they’re unpredictable. There was a great intensity to the game but nothing too serious, just a typical local derby.”

Despite the game being the first game in the Premier Division Hogg has won as a manager, he said it feels just as good to win as it did being a player.

He said: “Nothing has changed in that respect. I still want to win at everything I do but it’s still a brilliant feeling when you win.

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“Against Wetherby we will go out and make a strong start and try again to get some points on the board.”

Daz Ekin’s Boroughbridge AFC side remain at the foot of the Premier Division table after a 3-1 defeat to Beeston St. Anthony’s on Saturday.

Martin Hutchinson scored Boroughbridge’s first goal of the season to level the scores in the first half but Daz Ekin’s men couldn’t keep Beeston’s attack quiet.

Boroughbridge fell behind again on the stroke of half time and Beeston controlled the second half, adding a third to seal the win deep into stoppage town as Ekin’s men pushed for an equaliser.

Ekin’s tough start to the season continues on Wednesday August 27, after the Gazette went to print, hosting Leeds City.