Third Round - Day 2 UK Snooker Championship Extra

Hello and welcome to Snooker Extra. Extended highlights of the 2015

Betway UK Championship. Our featured match sees Mark Allen, who won the

Bulgarian Open in 6 just last month, take -- just last month take on

Martin Gould who reached the final of the Australian Open earlier this

season. Your commentators is Ken and Willie.

Mark Allen is the favourite, Ken, but I won't be straightforward. No.

It will be an interesting match. No doubt about that. Looking forward it

to. There will be a few big breaks, and quick fire frames. Without

missing around with the safety too much, but still very proficient in

that department. Showing a lot of form this season.

Of course, Martin, the last frame to John Higgins. He was hoping to be

down there, and watched the final. An excellent final between him. So

he was unlucky not to ring his fourth major ranking tournament.

He's been playing well this season and Mark Allen, of course, has just

won the European Tour event. As you said, final at the Champion of

Champions. So both player have good form coming into this tournament.

Sydney FC he was a little bit short there and took a risk. It's gone

astray. So this is the first real chance.

One. ... Not the greatest angle on the blue.

Now, a possibility of going into the puck and still being on the red in

the corner pocket. Plenty of cue power, Mark Allen. Just... Didn't

hit the puck exactly where he wanted. But he is still on this red.

He is running away from the black now, down for possibly a bar colour.

Just the one red at the back of the pack available and it isn't easy to

get on to that from the blue. He me decide to play to the left-hand side

of the bun. . There is a gap between brown and green. You could possibly

get on to that red that's available into the a little bit corner. He is

going to have to come close to the middle pocket when coming off the

ball cushion. Looks like he has left hand... Probably play the shot I

suggested one, playing off one cushion rather than two. But, as

always, those blues are miserable. Yeah. He's been a bit fortunate he

didn't catch the puck. A little bit more fuller, could have made an

easier chance. There is a bull right in the middle of the puck. He can

get on the black. There you go. Requires very good cuing, though,

particularly after the side cushion. Keep your head, very, very still in

this shot. No, he's played it well, played it very well! That's the key,

isn't it, on those types of shots. You have to keep your head so still

and push that cue in a straight line. And also you can't afford to

put any sort of side-on because you are cuing sidedown. It virtually

makes a swerve. Perfect! Yeah, that was a good shot,

wasn't it? Aggressive. And that's what we will see a lot of, I think,

during this match. I think it is going to be a very interesting

match-up between these two guys today. Good break, this. Mark Allen

has recorded 263 career centuries, 25 last season, already 80 in this

season. Martin Gould, 132 career centuries. He's had seven this

season, 15 last season, so they are quite - both prolific scorers.

Has that gone astray? That little cannon there. He may not be on the

reds in the middle. You can see that he's not. There is a red just at the

back of the pack cutting into the corner, but this is certainly not

what he played for. Have to be going up for a colour here, through the

gap of the two reds. Then he has the kiss and a bit on the right to miss

that. Yes. Possible - possibility of the blue went to the right centre,

but that's what we call a blind pocket. You can't see the pocket.

That's why he is going to take the green. But a big shot, yeah?

A good, solid pot. Needs to miss the yellow and I think he has done. Oh,

just about! Excellent shot! Confident start so far.

It is obviously a lovely feeling, as well, isn't it, when you hit the

ball so crisply and it hits the back of the put, the sound of it, it is

just great to hear when you are playing out there and it gives you a

bit of confidence. I was going to say exactly the same thing. There is

nothing better than hearing that sound because of a sudden you think,

"Right, I am into the centre of the pocket, I am cuing OK." The key

thing is taking advantage of situations like

We have talked his glasses many occasions. He gets annoyed with the

commentators talking about it, but he looks over the shot when he is --

over the top when he is playing the shot, which is amazing. We will get

a good chance - he is using the rest so we can't really tell from here.

But... He is looking through his gases from that position. When he

gets down on the shot he looks over the top of them. Mmm. A mistake.

I am a bit surprised. He had that red into the corner pocket. I don't

know why he screwed back for the blue. He could have easily tried to

get on to the black. The kiss wasn't very favourable, so just a safety

shot. Disappointed, Martin Gould. There was a really good opportunity

to win the frame from that visit. Yeah, felt it was worth having a go.

Wasn't leaving anything into the left centre. Only could possibly

leave the red. He played, and that is save. Possible double for Martin

Gould. He could play the same type of shot here, leave the cue ball

somewhere down the right-hand side of the table. Wouldn't be leaving

anything, unless the red comes back off the knuckle back down towards

the black. Should be OK. Well, plays it like that... Could always leave

the red down the end of the table, but I am a little bit surprised he

played it that way. Oh, this is a tester.

APPLAUSE What a shot that was! That was an

excellent pot! You won't see many Bert than that today -- many better

than that today. Got an angle on the black,

an angle where you can guarantee you will get on to the three reds

nicely. I think it is worth the risk. Because if you police the

cannon you have the red near the green there that's available. He

will have to play the cannon firm, buzz it isn't ideal to get a kiss on

the outside red. I can only presume the top red of the three pots,

because if it does, that's an excellent shot. Yeah, we can see it

does pot. A clever little shot, that. Wants to leave the pink.

Doesn't want to pot the pink, because that will tie the other two

reds up. So, he has a chance He could take

for the red into the right centre, yellow for the red near the ball

cushion. Well, he's done neither!

LAUGHTER Played for the ball cushion but

still in very good position. Not sure with two reds on the pink spot,

whether they putt into any pocket, so he may have to make one more

cannon to bring those into play. So, that will be Gould guld's only --

Martin Gould's only hope in this frame He has a great angle to roll

it in on the pink in the middle or the black in the corner. As long as

it isn't straight on either of those two balls he will have a chance of

playing some sort of cannon on those two reds. Good thinking here. Left

himself an option to get on to either ball, pink or black. And then

whichever one avails the better position to move the two reds, that

is the one he will play. Yeah. He has perfect on the pink here. Just

needs a little glancing blow on one of these reds. He has just hit it

too fully. Little sort of half ball as opposed to a full ball contact on

there. That would have been perfect. I thought he was going to play the

shot he suggest - you suggested, which would bring both into play.

Yeah. The key thing is when you lose

position, make sure you play a good safety shot and that is exactly what

he's done here. Eight points now behind Martin Gould. With both reds

being available, the one next to the black will pot in the right-hand

corner. It is key to get these save. -- save.

Has to be careful where the red will end up. It could end up right over

the right-hand side pocket. Didn't understand that safety shot as all.

The red was bound to go there. Why was he doing that, I ask myself?

The referee taking a bit of chalk off the cue ball. Just a little bit

left on it he missed. I have to be honest, I can't see anything.

Just got a little bit of top spin into the cue ball and that's why it

sort of arced a little bit. I think he just about as the angle to pot

the pink. Missed the yellow on the way down. Back up for this red.

Needs to slow-up, otherwise he may be - or keep going!

LAUGHTER One or the other! . CROWD: Oh!

I bet his heart skipped a beat! The blue person -- the blue one

perilously close to the corner pocket!

LAUGHTER That isn't easy for me to say that!

LAUGHTER Unlucky there, in fairness. Any

other kiss on the blue would have been perfect. This yellow is

miserable. Played it in such a way he was going to cover the pocket.

Comes back to his own spot now. 18 points in front. Up to and including

the brown . Struggling a bit with the pace at

the moment. You can see 20-point lead, with 25 remaining.

Actually puts him 23 in front. It would be 22 remaining. So, brown to

make the frame save, but this is game ball. He would be pretty

pleased with this opening frame, Mark Allen, because Martin Gould was

right in the balls and looked certain to win it. That shot ended

up costing him the frame. Made that right there when he was

needed. He ended up winning it and he leads by one frame to nil. Second

frame. Mark Allen to break. He would be disappointed with that

break-off. Hasn't covered the red to the left centre and he's got a

straightforward natural angle to get down for the black. Lots of reds in

the open. It is a pet hate for any snooker player. They win the first

round, play pots -- pot some stuff balls to get over the frame and get

it on the board, and then give your opponent the very first chance at

the next round from the break-off. You know, it is such a pet hate for

snooker players. Because people play off as regular as clockwork, it is

just a natural sort of thing. Sometimes players get down and don't

give it the concentration it deserves, the break-off, because it

is one of the most shots of the frame, isn't it? Mmm. You know, get

your opponent in trouble. A lot of players win the toss and let the

opponent break, because more times than not, a red will come over the

right-hand corner pock account or the left-hand corner pocket and give

your opponent first shot or nothing. It is hard to get that cue ball in

behind the green and close to that ball cushion. Sometimes when they

slide so much, but this left a good opportunity now for Martin Gould.

The highest break is 139. I am surprised he's not had a maximum

break in snooker, because he's a very good break builder. Not the

greatest pack to go into. He will get a nice angle on the black and I

am sure the perfect angle is plain to him. It is one of those pucks

where he would like to go into the side. He arced the cue arrive the

black. He plays this shot as good as anybody I have ever seen. See, he is

now thinking about playing for a loose red because he doesn't fancy

it. Not bad! Well played. This is a good chance.

APPLAUSE Played that perfectly. Yeah, played

it very well, didn't he? 32. Purposely went off the corner of the

pack knowing the cue ball was going to push through and still beyond the

red. The red over the middle pocket, that is a bonus because you can keep

that as a - always if he runs into a bit of trouble.

The first priority is of course winning the frame but that's five

reads and five blacks. You did mention he hasn't had a maximum, but

if he stays on the black here he's got half a chance.

That's a massive prize, this week, as well. No-one's had a maximum now

for a few months, it's rolled up to almost 4,000 pounds Yan 4 or 5,000

for the high break. So 40-45,000 for a 157 break this week. A nice

Christmas Bock! Run a bit too far. If he can still kiss the outside of

the back and hold for the one directly near the black... He's

played that well. Now, this is now a really good chance. Certainly is.

When he pots this red, the red to the right of it will be pottable

into the left-hand corner pocket. I tell you what... Nicely situated,

the reds at the moment. I am sure, without a doubt, is maximum is on

his mind. . He wouldn't be too pleased with that shot there. You

can't be go straight on the black, because you have only got one

option, screw back. Just a slight angle, not dead straight. He has to

get top side on one of these reds. Mmm. . Played with the wrong side.

If he played on the right it would have come higher up. I am sure he

could easily go and play for a ball colour after this read, but there is

-- red and there is plenty of value of putting the red into the middle,

up and down, top cushion, side cushion and back tore the black. --

back for the black. Needs to slow down. That looks pretty good. Not

slow down too much. This is the time when he can

possibly use that red over the middle pocket, because unless he

tries to impart a lot of left-hand hand side and go into the putt, he

will possibly go up two cushions over the red. What would your choice

be. I would want to near the green or brown. I would play two cushions.

I think it is a bit risky to play with check side but unfortunately

now he is using the rest. Whatever he plays, it is tough. If he plays

it plain ball he won't leave an angle to get on to the black from

the red over the middle. What a shame! What a shame! Good effort. He

will be disappointed. He hasn't won the frame yet.

APPLAUSE That little bit of side has tucked

it away from the gap between green and brown where he could have seen

the black. But he can see the brown. He is see the black full ball but he

needs to sit it on the left. He may be able to swerve around the red. If

he can get on to a red from the brown, that's the one he will take.

You know more than anybody, Ken, what a body blow this would be to

Martin Gould if Mark Allen wins now, because it would have been easier

not going tore the maximum, but obviously you only get one chance,

as you say, for 45,000. You are going to play it. It's note beyond

the realm of possibility that Mark Allen is in the clear. Yeah. We talk

about pivotal frames and matches, and this could certainly be one of

them, even though it is so early on. He still has is a lot of work to do.

If you had to have a pound on somebody to win the frame, would you

favour Mark Allen, because he is in the balls, wouldn't you? Absolutely.

Played that shot very well. Try to get on the red, extreme left,

of the three reds below the pink because that will open the two reds

into the opposite corner. Too much difficulty, I would have to say, if

you have a red that's not very close to the left, there is loads of room

around the back of that, so it is an excellent chance here for Mark

Allen. Needs an angle on the pink but has

that. But obviously would like to take the blue because the pink may

tie the two reds up. He's gone favourite now to win this frame.

Well, would you could believe it?! Would you believe it?! What a

let-off for Martin Gould! You can see his disappointment. Not quite

sure whether that was a kick or not. But it looked like he put a bit of

side. He is shaking his head. Maybe he did get a bad contact. I didn't

hear anything from our commentary position, but maybe he was

concentrating on flicking a bit of - he tried to hold for the red. Not

quite sure. Being ultra critical, he quit on it. Didn't get through it.

Because it was almost at a proper stun shot and he kind of played half

a stun run through, didn't get any bite on the cue ball, And that in

Turnbulled the cue ball over. What a reprieve for Martin Gould. He will

be absolutely delighted. He must have been sitting there thinking it

is going to be one each, and... Obviously Mark Allen will be 2-0 at

the table. He is just making sure of the black

there. He's a little bit surprised where the cue ball ended up. No more

than we are here in the commentary box. The most important thing he is

37 points ahead. That means that Mark Allen now needs a four-point

snooker. S ..to win the frame... The frame certainly is not over yet.

The four-point penalty snooker Martin Gould will be 1-1.

APPLAUSE Yeah, that was a nice pot. That was

surgery -- that will certainly put pay to the frame. He will be

relieved, Martin Gould. Ing but I am sure Mark Allen will be very

disappointed. Might get a chance to ask him.

APPLAUSE ..in the players' room later on

whether it was a kick or not on the black. If it was, it was very

costly. Four tables, of course, in action at

the same time. Players tend to watch the other matches. Just to take

their mind off things. You are always sort of aware, aren't

you, what's going on on the other tables. They are so close and you

are checking out. Who is playing well, what is score is at...

So, Martin Gould pots the black and gets his first frame on the board.

APPLAUSE A relieved Martin Gould levels the

match now, 1-1. APPLAUSE

Both players nicely settled in. You don't settle until you get a frame

on the board. They have both done that. Two frames before the

mid-session interval. Martin Gould breaking off. That's a pretty good

break-off as well. If the cue ball was a couple of

inches off the table he will take that on but he will have no idea. If

it is - it has to be mighty fine. He is playing a thin safety shot.

Mighty fine it was. Excellent rereply. Well played.

A bit fortunate there, but three excellent safety shots one after the

other. That kiss was a little bit fortunate, but a big target to get

into the side of the pack where the pink is, just rest on those three

reds just below the pink. Not straightforward this time to

rest, because - behind the brown spot area, it is very easy to

negotiate this shot, but you get a bit of slide off the cushion

sometimes, and - see, so concentrated on the slide, he's -

has he got it? Just caught the pink. Lot more difficult, isn't it, Ken

from behind either the green or the yellow, than it is from behind the

brown to rest into the pack? Yeah. They do slide quite a bit, but... At

first glance it is amazing how quick these tables are, and these... I

mean, he barely touched that cue ball but look at the distance it

travelled. But, yeah, it's - harder to judge it off one cushion as well.

If you are coming off two cushions, to get out of a snooker, it is is a

lot easier. But one cushion, particularly the first time you play

it... Now he's overcompensated this time. Oh!

LAUGHTER Wow! No foul. Just glanced off the

red. The red didn't even move there, did it? Just took a bit of paint

off. APPLAUSE

That is the first bad safety shot of the match but he's got away with it.

Completely mis-hit that. Been a good safety, apart from that shot. Yeah.

Unfortunately we may have a bit of a stalemate here, if Mark Allen

chooses to come off two cushions into the back of the pack. That red

is going to cause a lot of problems up in the baulk. We may be seeing a

stalemate here a few shots down the road.

Wow! Looked like it drifted, that cue ball. Has he left the red at the

bottom of the pack? . APPLAUSE

. What a mistake that is! Not quite sure why he played that

red initially. Why didn't he just come off two cushions into the back

of the pack? Pretty straightforward, same result.

Sometimes when you are playing those shots, dead weight, finger mark, a

bit of chalk, and deviate the cue ball off its line and that's exactly

what's happened there. (APPLAUSE)

Very good recovery. Now, then, OK there is a red beside the black

available. The angle on the yellow is perfect to go into the side of

the bunch. The thing is if he gets one of those loose reds on is the

black in a way he can't get on to the black, there is no advantage.

Sometimes you have to take the chance and go into them. That's what

he's done. What he gets now he deserves. He played the correct

shot. Well done! Just looking if he pots this red

just above the black into the corner pocket, looks like he may be running

into the red. When the cue ball bounces off the top caution, maybe

running the red just to the left of the black, if he can avoid it. He

will try to do so. Yeah. Just running into it. It made this black

a little bit more awkward than he would have liked.

No! A long way away. Martin Gould 10. Ken, I have obviously not been

playing the last 15 years actually on these superfine clothes, is it

harder to cut a ball back now than it used to be on the thicker cloth?

Mmm. Not really, no. I have seen so many people do that, hit them thick

when they are playing cut shots. . I think the fact it was just - they

were very close together and it is hard to see the line. Again, we talk

about the blind pocket. It is hard to see the line when there was -

particularly when they are so close together as well, and... He was

quite a way away from that. You see it so often these days. When they

miss it, they miss it by a couple of inches. These balls are in the

perfect position for Mark Allen to get a sizable lead in this frame, if

not a frame-winning proportion. That was a clever shot. Had to make

sure he got the kiss on the full there to get nicely on to the pink.

39. I think he's just about got an angle. 40. Nicely played.

And that's beautifully judged! That will certainly win him the frame

now. It opened up all four reds with one shot. 48.

Yeah, he would be disappointed. He had a got opportunity there again.

54. 55. Concentrate. After this... He will

make the first century of the match. 63.

Concentrating goals the first century in this particular match.

Sponsors, Betway, give 10 pounds a point after 100 to a hospice and it

is already over 11,000 pounds. They have given away so

Lovely to watch when he gets in the balls, Mark Allen. 85. Gone a

fraction too bar but should be able to get around the back of the black.

The bounces. It is OK. Perfect angle on the black to get on to the

yellow. He dear vs a century. This is break

building at its very best. Got every ball he played for, had a couple of

nice kisses. Played that perfectly as well.

Very well played Mark Allen! Excellent!

APPLAUSE LAUGHTER

Played a little exhibition shot there. Doesn't matter, though! Mark

Allen won another frame. He now takes the lead by two frames to one.

Mark Allen to break. Last frame before the mid-session

interval and a much bureaucrater -- better break-off from Mark Allen.

He's covered the reds down the right-hand side of the table.

Particularly for a pot, he can play a containing safety shot off this

red but... Just got to be careful he doesn't leave anything to the left

centre. If the black was available he would

be taking this red on. I mean, the black is available if he finishes

tight on the back cushion because it is no good. If you play this plain

ball you will do well to miss the kiss on the pink. He doesn't fancy

the pot because of that reason. Martin Gould needs to play an

attacking game Because OK he may be able to compete with them in the

safety department but he is a very good break builder himself.

He won that safety battle. But, at first glance, he's -

straightforward. He can just jab this red into the middle pocket, but

can he get the right side of the blue?

Yes, he can get the right side of the blue. So, this is a good chance

now. The way it's gone, I think really Martin should have won one of

the two frames he did loose against Mark Allen there, because he got the

first chance in a couple of of the frames. 2-2 would be pleased, both

players. Mind you, that's not very good. Six.

Stretching on the blue. Doesn't want to use the rest. A little extension

on the point of the cue. A bit of pressure on this blue. OK. If those

two reds - he is going to be bridging over weren't there, it is a

lot easier, but throwing a lot of cue from the bridge hand as well,

which means you don't have as much control. He played that nicely!

Didn't do too much with the cue ball, just wanted to make sure the

pot... He is going to require now another good pot to get back up for

the blue. Black isn't available into the left corner pocket. Doesn't look

like it from my commentary position. You see the red is blocking it. Had

a bit of power in this redback up -- red back up for blue.

That helps now. The black will be available into both corners after

this next shot. Looks to be one more loose red

available in the bottom corner. So he could play just a little bit of

check side for that red, but he would like to play a little thin

cannon of the two reds directly above the black. He isn't guaranteed

to be on the red. So, he may decide just to play for the loose one. He

will try to get into the bunch on the pink. Obviously something

available that we can't see. That must be available, right in the

middle of the pack. He obviously has the one down the left-hand side

cushion as well. That tied a few more reds up,

doesn't it? If he gets a good angle on the black

here... 32. He has a decent angle. He is going to have to generate a

lot of power, if he wants to go into the reds from this black. There is a

red in the middle of those bunch, would you believe, into the - that

is available into the bottom right-hand corner pocket. That is

the one. He has to be very, very precise with his cue ball. Yeah,

just above the pink. May beside to go into them. He's

played it pretty well. He's on this red. 39. When he pots this one, the

one just above it will be available into the left-hand corner pocket, as

well. Now, all of a sudden, excellent opportunity to level up

the match. It's been good stuff, hasn't it?

Yeah. Both players look in good tomorrow when they are getting

around the black spot, that's for sure. 47.

These tables have been recovered overnight, so all four tables that

are on show have got brand new cloths on. That may help. It is

great when you play on a great new cloth. They slide a little bit

better. LAUGHTER

They certainly do. It is just the pace and control. It is amazing

after - when I first played here last Tuesday, the tables had just

gone in. Absolutely beautiful. Came become on the Saturday and the

cloths had change sod much within those four or five days, it was

almost like a different table. It is amazing. You don't get as much life

out of these cloths as they once did. Sometimes you go into the club

and they may not have changed the clothes for six months, but they

have to change them after about four days here. One of those cloths

wouldn't lost a month, would it? That would be ruined. They have to

get top side. He's done just that. He is one shot away from securing

the frame. I know he is 56 points in front, but he needs another two

reds, two colours. Should be able to hold the one to the extreme left of

the pack there that's available. That's what he has done. Of course,

getting on to the black, the pink spot pots and that will be frame

ball. 61. A nice century break in the last

round, but he had to sit through this, this one, miss placed a safety

shot. It's been a very good standard. 70. Liberal Party # -- So

far. A bit unlucky there. Just couldn't

generate the speed. The cue ball to - really open those reds into play,

touching ball, so he will just may away, but, still, nice break and a

nice Replay from Martin Gould. Mark Allen will say, "That's enough", and

I am sure it does. Mark Allen walks off. Players will go to the

mid-session interval. Nothing between them. It is two frames each.

He hasn't -- it hasn't stopped? Covered the red, has it? I think it

has. A little bit careless, to be honest, because he has another foot

of table he put have put the cue ball in there to be on all three

reds. That is just about the only place where he isn't on all three.

Slightly hampered cuing, but maybe the bounce can take a bit of pace

out of the white. Yeah. Very disappointed. It was a good

opportunity, wasn't it? He carved it out of - getting out of that snooker

initially. It is it a very dangerous shot.

Played it well. Good pot. Bit of pressure on that one.

APPLAUSE Nice angle on the blue. And the fact

that the yellow is off its spot, just makes this shot a little bit

easier. Could play on that red, over the right-hand centre and bring the

cue ball down around the end of the table. He has too much on it. Too

much! Needs to slow up. Yeah, looks like... Looked like he

got a bit of a string off that -- spring off that cushion. Certainly

not happy. Yes, he is tempted to take this into

the ball pocket. With it being virtually dead straight, knock it

in... Wow! It's not happening for Mark at the moment. He's had plenty

of chances and the balls are in a perfect position on the two

occasions he's been in the balls in this frame. Unfortunately, for him,

he's not scored enough. I think there is enough room for

this red to pass the other red. There certainly. Now, Martin, a

little stun run through. The pink is available. If he doesn't get the gap

tore the black, if he plays a stun run through he has another one. He

is playing the outside red. Still playing a pot, though. Mmm. I fancy

him knocking the long one. I am surprised he took the half-ball one.

It just isn't happening. state putt the pic but the black was

a certainty, bar for it just brushing by the red. When you are in

front, these are no problem. When you are behind it is a little bit

more tricky. Well done! A good recovery.

Concentrating on the pink for the moment. But I am sure he would like

to get on the black. And try to free up the pocket on the right-hand side

here as soon as possible. He is building up a nice lead at the same

time. Bottom one of these two reds are

closest together will pot. Stay on the black then. 29.

If he got back to that's cape -- that's cape took him almost four

minutes to get out of it, but he negotiated a path from a position

that if he hadn't have, it might have been 5-2 down, so he put

himself back in this match. 37. A really good escape.

Probably be a lesson for any budding snooker player, is take your time,

particularly those big shots. 44 Give yourself time to work out a -

an escape route. And maybe this is the impetus that

Mark Allen required in this match. 45 minutes he went without potting a

ball, but... This will give him a bit more confidence. 59. Now it is

match on again. 60. 74. Made a century in the third

frame, Mark Allen. The 64 -- the 264th of his career. Another

possible opportunity here. You see, six pinks and four blacks.

Fifth black coming up. And from nowhere this break has

really come about, hasn't it? 82. He's had to grind his way to get

back into this match and he's done that. When he had the first

opportunity, 84 and counting. Frozen out for three frames. When I

say frozen out, he was completely frozen out. This has been top

drawer, it really has. A very good break.

Second century of the match, a break of 102. Doesn't worry about the

black. He has himself back into the game but he still trails by four

frames to three. Certainly buoyed by that wonderful

century in the last round. Top of the table or not, a good

safety shot there from Martin Gould. The cue ball isn't tight on the

ball, but - yeah. Foul That is a disaster! Not the cue ball going

into the pocket, but certainly the red going over the pocket. He had

them in trouble. The safety's been - excellent today, Martin Gould, I

must say. I have been very impressed with it.

I am a bit surprised. I mean, pink was on into the right centre pocket.

I am very surprised that Martin didn't take the ball and try and get

that cue ball slower and try to get on to that pink in the middle. Much

more difficult to get up or the brown. There is always the

possibility of getting too much top spin on that. . He's played that

shot a couple of times when he's tried to get on to blue, rather than

play the pink or black. The black wasn't available then, but earlier

on it was. He is leading 4-3, so it is hard to criticise the way he's

played. His safety, as you say, Ken, has been first class. Scored pretty

heavy when he's got in. That's a recipe to win matches.

This is going to be a goal special. -- gold special. He is blessed with

an awful lot of cue power, so he may be playing to pot this and screw

back for one of the colours and maybe running through off one

cushion but still playing for ball colour. Yep. Such a got podder. I

don't know why he doesn't play more pots.

He would like to be a bit straighter on this blue. Can't do much with the

cue ball when you drop it in. He is going around to have a look to see

what the red is closest, not the one month the bottom, the one just above

that. Will that go into the right-hand corner pocket?

But the other thing would be trying to get on a red and bring that pink

and - open up around the pink spot, if he can.

Overrun slightly, but it is OK. It is the one above the black, which in

turn gives more chance of getting the black in play at some time. You

know, it's not - hardly - I suppose he could win the game off here,

after the pink and blue. But he would like to get the black in,

though, and play very soon. 19. That was a clever little shot, wasn't it?

Just freed the pink up into the middle and... Moving that red away

now opens the couple of red arounds the pink spot into the right-hand

corner pocket. So... A really good chance now. That's what he had to

do, he had to get the pink or black into play to really have a good

opportunity to win this frame in one visit. 25 .

26. Looking pretty good now to be two-up with a possible three to

play. I don't think that's the best shot

he's ever played. Could have done with being a lot straighter on this

red. Could have played on the red Close

to the corner pocket as well, the right-hand corner pocket. The red

below the black pots into the a little bit corner pocket and he's...

Yeah, he's struggling a bit. OK. He is on the red but he has a bit more

work to do with the cue ball. It could go wrong.

He's judged that nicely. Good shot! I presume he was hoping the red

would come away from the black, but he's got the right side of the blue.

The next two reds are no problem. That would put him best lot of 60

points in front. He only needs one of the more difficult reds and a

colour. 38. It's been an excellent play this.

The black has been throughout commission throughout the break. The

pink was tied up pretty much for the first part of the break. That puts

him 56 in front. 46. The pink is 62. So one more red.

Looks like he's just too straight to be able to get close to the red that

is tight on the cushion. He only needs a red, just get on it. Doesn't

matter... Just leave yourself some sort of shot on the red. It is worth

taking on because it is unlikely that Mark Allen can clear it in one

53. The 53 break as almost been as good as one of Mark Allen's

centuries. That's how difficult it was when he started.

The red doesn't got in, and... OK. 69 points ahead, barring snookers.

It looks like Martin will go 5-3 in the lead.

. Martin Gould, one frame away from victory as he breaks off in frame 9.

Mark Allen, quite simply, has to win the remaining three frames. He is

scoring well enough. But, like I said earlier, his safety has not

been up to scratch today. Looking at a possibly three-ball plant.

And a three-ball plant got! Well played.

Decided to take that difficult brown on, knowing that he has to make

something happened. Does Martin Gould have an angle on the red to be

able to bring the black into play? Certainly looks that way in the red

and the black are directed. It looks like the black will certainly be

going towards the corner pocket. Looks like it is almost a plan.

Doesn't have to put too much pace, but just enough to get the red away

from the black spot. Well, maybe, because the fact that

it was a plant he was afraid. He's come too short on the blue. He has

the brown, and the brown is a perfect angle to go into the pot,

just below the pink, but, again, difficult pot into a blind pocket.

Looks like he decided to take the brown on and bring the pink into

play. There is every chance the red could spring off the pack and bring

the black into play as well here. Brought the pink out. But hasn't

brought the black out. Tu it was an excellent shot. At first glance, I

don't think he is on anything. That is unlucky, subject it! De-- isn't

it! He deserved to be on something there. Five.

Martin Gould five. But, again, the back wall and cue ball very close to

the ball cushion. He has a safety shot off the edge of the pack. If he

does play that he will be bringing the black into play. That is why you

have to be careful. You have to find the ball cushion if you are playing

that. He's decided against it. Just playing a containing safety shot

here, leaving the white at the centre of the table. I wonder

whether that red's gone far enough to be able -- to be available in the

middle. I don't think it has. That is an attacking safety shot but

unfortunately, as you can see, he hasn't got the pace again. One good

pot for Martin Gould. He has a good chance here with the spread. He

needs a good pot. The fact that Mark Allen is a

left-hander - I am sure he has enough of the red to the left corner

and he can possibly just try to run into the red that's - well, no. He

doesn't have... I thought he could have potted the red that is closest

and try to get on the black, but that's a good pot. One.

He would love to get on the red and the black spot here, if possible.

Just two more loose reds now. ..Before he will start contemplating

disturbing that pack of six reds. The last of the loose reds to

follow, and then a nice angle on black or pink. That will make this a

frame-winning break. Usually when the pack are very tight

it isn't easy to go into them from the black, but rather than six reds,

they are all big - pushing towards pockets, if he goes into them. 34.

That will be one going towards the yellow, one to the right - sorry,

the left-hand middle pocket. Unless he sticks on a read it is almost

bound to be on a red into almost the corner or the middle.

Push one to the corner, unfortunately hit the wrong side of

the pack. Nair but there. Amazing, isn't it Ken? Yeah, you generate a

lot of power off that side cushion as well but the angle on the black

wasn't great, was it? A bit unlucky really. Could have easily been on a

red. But just didn't break nice for him. So, just a safety shot. A

37-point lead, but the situation with the reds... One chance. It

could be crucial. 37-point lead. He would like to

leave the black and red alone at the moment, with that lead. He would

like to get a baulk colour save. Martin Gould is still well within

this frame. That's not the best safety that he's

ever played. This red may be pottable.

A good safety shot. Well played. May force Mark Allen to take this long

putt on and get the gap between the red and the black. He can get back

into the baulk. Probably play for the yellow here off two cautions,

maybe -- cushions, maybe three. Mmm. A chance for Martin Gould.

Amazing! It was first after the match. Didn't knock that in without

any problem. He has a chance of winning the frame and the match. I

think it is slightly more difficult. a bit closer to the cushion than he

would like, but shouldn't be any real problem.

Quietly as you can, please, thank you. Getting ever-close tore the

winning post. Just within one frame. He leads by 47. Two more reds, two

more colours. He really needs two more reds to

keep goult Gould -- Martin Gould coming back to the table. This red -

he knows Martin Gould will come back. He would love to pot red, the

colour red, and then he won't come back to the table. Why he is

starting the cue libt better -- a little bit better, he would rather

just keep him off the table. Judged that nicely, the hole for the pink.

Red... To follow. He will be making sure this red, as you can see, 60

points ahead, make sure of the red. That will close the gap and it is

match on again. What a shot that was!

32. When he is in amongst the pink and black, he's been excellent. But,

as you said, Willie, just a few loose safety shots has cost him a

few frames in this match. But he's still - well... Still well within it

and well within Martin Gould's sight.

Well, when he is flowing he is as good as anybody, isn't it? Very

aggressive player. But, as Ken mentioned, it is only the safety

department that hasn't been up to scratch today, because everything

else - he has certainly been the better of the two as far as breaking

is concerned. And should he clear he will be in front of aggregates as

well. He is learn I potting as many balls as Martin, but just that bit

of safety. He is back in the match now at 5-4. He's already had breaks

of 170 and 102. This is this break over 50, apart from those two

don'tries. That's what he is blessed with - an amazing amount of cue

power. No pot on the black! An excellent

break of 67. He reduces the deficit to just one frame. He still trails,

though, by five frames to four. APPLAUSE

So, again, Mark Allen not the best break-off. Half a chance for Martin

Gould. Quite a long way away from there,

this time. Has he left anything? At early chance here for Mark Allen

to get a few points on the board. The way he is feeling at the moment,

he is looking very aggressive at the moment and who knows? In a few

moment's time we might be all squared a 5-5. Needs to come by the

red. Just OK. A good shot. 11. The red at the bottom of the pack is

a -- is in an ideal situation. He can drop the blue, try to get on the

red, but finish low on the red so he can - on potting the red he can

bring the - some more reds into play. Just watch the cue ball here.

It will be certainly... OK, if he finishes straight, he still has the

black and a couple of loose reds, but try to finish low on the red. He

has overran it but... 25. He still has the black to split the reds and

still couple of loose reds available.

Got a lot of action on that, and, again, he's been very unfortunate.

33. That's why it would have been so

much nicer for him to be finished low on the previous red. So much

easier when you are splitting the reds with a red, because it - of the

position of the pack is very flat, wasn't it, Willie? Never easy to

generate cue ball movement when it is like that. Unlucky not to be able

to cue something better than this. The baulk is pottable, but... He

won't be too interested in that. APPLAUSE

Another good safety shot from Martin Gould. Not easy having to baulk from

here. Tempt into the middle pocket. If he

can get somewhere near the jaws of the middle pocket, he will be on the

blue if he goes in, he won't be leaving an off lot if he doesn't,

but I don't think he's even attempting it, playing the safety.

He's been a little bit cautious today. That is probably the reason

he is in front, but now and again he may have attempted a shot that - he

is such a good potter, the safety has been superb. Yeah. There is more

evidence of it, bringing the two reds into play, and... Putting a bit

of pressure on Mark Allen here. This is a strange shot. He is always

leaving this red over the right middle. Why you would want to move

the cue ball down this end of the table? OK. He wanted to get close

wear the cue ball to the corner pocket, so this red would be on

touchable, but straightforward now. A natural angle to go through the

baulk colours, without kissing them. One. . This is the first chance he's

had in the last frame-and-a-half to have a chance of winning frame and

match. But the ball was in a nice position here. You can see him

getting right back into the frame here, if not winning it at this

visit. That's the only problem. When it is the final frame, the frame to

witch the match, all of a sudden players start to be too cautious.

But this is a chance, make no mistake. No reds on the cushion. The

two difficult reds that were on the cushion, from his previous safety

shot, he brought them into play. So... He's set this opportunity very

nicely for himself. He won't get a better opportunity than this.

Three or four inches and there is a red available into the opposite

corner pocket, and one available in the middle as well. He's not made a

very good fist of that. No, that's a very tentative shot. Wanted to be -

didn't want to be straight on this red.

That's not the best shot either. May have a slight angle on the blue,

just to get closer down to these reds, but...

It looks like he is on the middle red of the three if he wants to play

for the black. The angle he has on the one we can see there in open

play on the left is not natural, because he is going to finish close

to the cushion, unless he bounces it is. That is what he has done. Played

it pretty well. Looks like he is straight on the black. Again, he is

going to need a really good shot. Well, actually, the angle has gone

away from where he would have liked. APPLAUSE

He has to play this with a lot of reverse side. He could overscrew

this. Oh! Wow! Just played that absolutely

perfect. Not quite sure whether he played for those two reds, to be

honest! I thought he was play for the two reds coming up for the

little extreme left red. Moving this one, brings the other two into play.

This is a great chance for frame and match. Once again - he does this

often. Careless when he gets around the black spot. You have to make

sure you finish low or high. He has given himself plenty to do again

with this cue ball now. Didn't want to be straight. He has two reds

below the pink there available into the right centre. Again, the same

angle as almost the last black he played. He will play this shot

again. He's played for the two reds into the right centre. He's played

it very well. But, of course, whatever he pot - these are a bit

more difficult than they should have been - there is of course, the added

pressure. The points are all square after that last colour. Now he is in

the lead in this final frame. Those two reds to the left of the

pink, he is going to have to negotiate the path of one of those

two very shortly. Once he gets rid of the one below the pink, that will

open at least one of them. This is a wonderful chance now for frame and

match. 41. Yes, again! Wanted to be a little

bit higher with the cue ball on this black. Every time, just puts

himself... Puts himself under pressure. He's been at that angle

for at least three times now during this break. He's played an excellent

recovery there! Forcing the angle on the black and out through the gap.

49. The only hope for Mark Allen is the red that's closest to the pink.

50. Once again! LAUGHTER

You might think he's doing it on purpose! A write smile from -- wry

smile! You would think he would learn from the last previous shots.

Four times he has got the wrong angle. Four times he's got out of

it. Will he do it again? Eventually, I suppose, when you keep

playing screw shot after screw shot you are going to get a bad contact.

And that's what's happened there. 57. 24 points in front. It is worth

taking this one on to the green pocket.

A great shot! A great pot! A wonderful angle on the black! This

is Mark Allen's only hope. He is 25 ahead, Martin Gould. Black will be

32. Mark Allen, can't bear to watch at the moment, but he needs a good

kiss on this red, bring it into play. Would you play the pink and

the red at the same time? Or just play into the red? Just play into

the red, just a half ball. But he's played it very well. He's played

into the pink full ball. So... APPLAUSE

That's it! That's red to put him... ..Into the next round of the UK

Championships. 66. 71. We said we were expecting high

quality snooker from both players, who have come into a bit of form.

They certainly provided us with that. Couple of centuries for Mark

Allen. 77, 66, 59, 57 for Martin Gould. 76 and counting here.

Excellent quality! And exalt safety play for Martin Gould, has to be

said. That has been the difference. He's carved out the opportunities

for himself. He is going to finish with the

black. Will we see a little exhibition shot?

Well, a wonderful break from Martin Gould! A 98 to finish off the match.

Well-played, Martin Gould! APPLAUSE

Congratulations to Martin Gould. He now meets Northern Ireland's Joe

Swail in the fourth round. We are back with live coverage from the

Barbican here in York. 1 o'clock on BBC2 as we move into the fourth

round and to a two-table set-up. We will see you then. From all of us