Thornton-le-Dale take initiative in race for title

Thornton-le-Dale are the new leaders in the first division of the newitts.com Beckett Football League after Saturday’s League games, the previous leaders Wombleton Wanderers were on Cup duty playing at Sinnington in the Gordon Harrison Memorial Trophy were they suffered their first League/Cup defeat of the season in games organised by the League.

Division 1

Thornton-le-Dale entertained Union Rovers in the first division, both teams appeared to be up for this vital game, Thornton-le-Dale broke the deadlock after 35 minutes when a Nick Wilkinson corner found an unmarked Gary Parker who scored a fine goal.

The home side doubled their lead after 53 minutes when a long run by David Elliot and his shot was partially saved but Simon King followed up to score. Union Rovers hit back and came more into the game, the home keeper Davd Sturgess produced two very good saves to keep his side in front after 72 minutes, but after his second save the ball came back into the area for the impressive Nicky Drew to score and put new life into his side, however, eight minutes later a fine run down the wing by Luke Clemmitt who crossed the ball to Elliot who headed the ball back to Clemmitt to score, two minutes later Elliot scored to give his side a three goal cushion and four minutes from time a ‘solo’ run by Will Dunnet from midfield shot saved but from the resulting corner Elliot scored his second goal and his sides fifth and final goal of the afternoon.

Man of the Match winners were David Elliot (Thornton-le-Dale), Dwayne Young (Union Rovers).

A five goal thriller at Slingsby with the home side suffering their third League defeat of the season against last season’s Champions Kirkbymoorside Reserves 3-2 in a game which flowed from end to end.

Slingsby started the better of the two sides for the opening half of the first half, the Moorsiders then took a two goal lead thanks to a Craig Ibbotson penalty and a goal scored by Jack Dowson by the half hour mark, Slingsby then came back to level matters with goals scored by Sean Keefe and a Scott Simpson free kick prior to half time.

The second half was end to end stuff, a very even game un til 15 minutes from time when the Moorsiders Lee Nesfield scored a superb goal to win the match for his side and lieft them up into fourth position in the League table with games in hand on the three teams above them.

Man of the Match winners were Daryl Craggs in midfield shared the Slingsby award with striker Scott Simpson, Lee Nesfield won the Kirkbymoorside award.

Heslerton recorded their third League win of the season winning 4-1 at home to Bagby and Balk who were missing a few players, as for Heslerton they were missing Player/Manager Marc Craig who is away on holiday.

Bagby & Balk stunned their hosts by taking the lead on the half hour mark with a free kick taken and converted by Martin Kendall, the second half was a far different story with Heslerton receiving some stern words during the interval from stand-in player/manager Gareth Driver, Wayne Pilmoor equalised after 50 minutes, five minutes later Robbie Preston scored to put Hessie ahead after a fine move by Nicholas Schofield. Hessie increased their lead after 75 minutes thanks to a Chris Bell penalty kick after Simon Oxendale had been brought down and ten minutes from time Robbie Preston scored his second goal of the afternoon with his side’s fourth and final goal of the game following good work by Lee Oxendale.

Man of the Match winners were Rob Preston for his hard work up front (Heslerton), centre defender Stuart Winter won the Bagby & Balk award.

GORDON HARRISON MEMORIAL TROPHY

Sinnington entertained Wombleton Wanders in the quarter final of the Gordon Harrison Memorial Trophy on Saturday, both teams had weakened sides, a goal-less first half, Wombleton had their keeper Jake Wilson taken off and he went to Scarborough Hospital A&E Department, he had suffered a knock to the head injury and tried to carry on but after conceding the opening two goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half came off, the Sinnington goals were scored by Michael Turnbull own goal and David Wilkinson, Wombleton rallied towards the end when Jordan Rivis scored with five minutes remaining but they failed to get an equaliser to force a penalty shoot out, the Sinners recorded a memorable victory which in some quarters goes down as a shock win from the Sinners who will meet Kirkbymoorside Reserves in the semi-final at Sinnington.

Man of the Match winners were Paul Harland (Sinnington), skipper Sean Walker (Wombleton Wanderers).

Division 2

Defeats for two of the ‘Top Five’ teams in the second division on Saturday, Duncombe Park at home to Heslerton Reserves and Brooklyn 3rds at home to Thornton-le-Dale Reserves, Kirkdale United with games in hand move up into third position behind leaders Snainton Reserves and second placed Gillamoor.

Union Rovers Reserves entertained Snainton Reserves whose player/Manager was so keen to be involved that he travelled up from Newquay on Saturday morning to play, his side so pleased to see him strolled into a two goal first half lead with goals scored by James Wilson and Nick Ellis, ten minutes from time Union Rovers pulled a goal back when Phil Smith scored, two minutes from time Snainton’s vastly experienced keeper Scott Wardman produced the ‘save of the season’ to keep his side in front and maintain their leader position in the second division promotion race.

Man of the Match winners were Ian Blanchard (Union Rovers), Scott wardman in goal (Snainton).

Gillamoor emain second after a 8-1 home win against Stillington Sports and Social Club, Gillamoor took an early two goal lead with two Nathan Blacklock through balls to Ryan Rivis to score both opening goals, Stillington were then awarded a penalty which was taken by Karl Simpson but the Gillamoor keeper Adam Durrant saved superbly, minutes later Simpson did score for the visitors but a Nathan Blacklock header following a Sam Taylor corner restored Gillamoor’s two goal first half advantage, just before half time Ryan Mintoft hit the post from an acute angle for Gillamoor.

Gillamoor got well on top in the secnd half scoring five further goals by Ryan Rivis 3 giving him a match-day total of five goals, a second for Nathan Blacklock, and Karl Smith scored his sides final goal.

Man of the Match winners were Ryan Rivis for his five goals (Gillamoor) who also had Nathan Blacklock in impressive form, Brendan Carrick won the Stillington award.

Kirkdale United move up into third place after a 2-1 home win against Settrington, Kirkdale started well and had a strong penalty appeal turned down after 7 minutes when Paul White appeared to have been brought down, five minutes later good work by Glen Forrester and White but the final chance went begging. Rob Galtrey, Jono Wheeldon, and Alex Croall all went close before half time, Croall’s effort hitting the wood wrk.

In the second half Kirkdale took the lead after 49 minutes when Alex Croall cooly took his chance, after 55 mnutes the Kirkdale keeper Terry Dodds was forced to make an outstanding save to keep his side in front, however, after 65 minutes Settringto scored to draw level, Kirkdale’s winning goal arrived after 83 minutes when Galtrey was brought down with Sean Murray scoring from the resulting penalty kick. Sean Murray was Kirkdale’s Man of the Match with Rob Galtrey in impressive form.

Good news for Kirkdale’s injured Dean Coote who was badly injured before Christmas, however, after a return visit to Scarborough Hospital he has to take it steady for another week or so before he can start with light exercise and getting himself back to full fitness.,

Duncombe Park were third but drop to fourth after a 5-2 home defeat to an impressive Heslerton Reserves side, despite the final scoreline this game hung in the balance almost to the end.

Heslerton took an early two goal lead thanks to goals scored by Aidan Horton and Dan Blanchard, Park pulled a goal back with a well taken strike from an acute angle by Jack Chadwick. Heslerton replied almost immediately with Blanchard scoring his second goal. The visitors were then awarded a penalty with Tyrone Walton stepping up to take only to see his initial and follow up effort well saved by the Park keeper, he then made two further outstanding saves, Heslerton then scored their fourth goal with Blanchard completing his hat-trick before half time. In the second half Park stepped uop their play with Chadwich scoring a second goal on the hour mark, the game was finely balanced until Heslerton scored a fifth with Blanchard again their marksman – his fourth of the game.

Man of the Match winners were Jack Chadwick (Duncombe Park), Dan Blanchard won the Heslerton award with Andy Norman shining out in an impressive all-round team performance.

Brooklyn 3rds were fourth but drop to fifth after a shock 2-1 home defeat to Thornton-le-Dale Reserves, with no appointed Referee for this game Brooklyn’s Reserves team Manager Cirk Newton stepped into the role and both teams thank him for his efforts, otherwise there would not have been a game.

A very good game between two closely matched sides, a minute before half time Thornton-le-Dale took the lead thanks to a goal scored by Darren Davies, after 70 minutes Stuar Chapman scored to double the visitors lead, the last 10 minutes saw Brooklyb in all out attack mode, Kieran Wall scored ten minutes from time but as hard as they tried to get an equaliser some determined defending by the visitors halted them.

Man of the Match winners were Scott Bowns (Brooklyn) playing in midfield, playing in the centre of midfield Jake Harrison won the Thornton-le-Dale award.

NEWITTS.COM BECKETT FOOTBALL LEAGUE Kick off 2pm

DivIsion One: Ryedale SC Res v Slingsby, Union Rovers v Heslerton

Division Two: Heslerton Res v Pickering Knights, Settrington Res v Duncombe Park, Snainton Res v Norton Utd

RYEDALE HOSPITAL CUP Kick off 1.30pm

Round 3: Wombleton Wanderers v Gillamoor

SCARBOROUGH & DISTRICT FA JUNIOR CUP (Sponsored by Coopers of Pickerin) Kick off 1.30pm

Round 4: Kirkbymoorside Res v Thornton-le-Dale, Kirkdale Utd v Edgehill Res

Wensleydale Creamery League

Results: Askrigg United 3 Richmond Buck Inn 4, Carperby Rovers 2 Hawes United 8, Catterick Rovers 1 Richmond Academy 3, Reeth & District 1 Colburn Town 8, Spennithorne & Harmby 4 Catterick Football Centre 5, Unicorn FC 8 Richmond Mavericks 1.