THIRSK FALCONS lifted the North Riding FA Saturday County Cup after a 4-2 win over Malton St Mary’s.

Manager Eddie Guerin was cautious about his team’s tactics against a very strong Malton side but he had almost a full squad for the cup game under the floodlights at Pickering Town FC’s ground.

Malton got the first goal after a hectic six minutes of play with an easy but accurate power shot into the Thirsk goal. They looked the slightly better team at first but gradually Thirsk began to find their feet and took possession of the ball in a game which rapidly moved from one goalmouth to the other as both teams battled for possession.

Ryan McKendry drew Thirsk level after 32 minutes and after half time they began to control the game with some good passes and manoeuvres around the field.

Despite a very strong tackle on a Malton player by Stuart Rise, who was booked, both sides tried hard to play to their strengths.

After a foul on a Thirsk player 26 minutes the referee awarded a penalty and from the spot captain Dave Young stepped up and showed confidence to put it away.

Malton rallied to get a second goal seven minutes later from a corner kick, but Ryan McKendry hit back and scored his second goal soon after.

The game was settled by a remarkable goal by Shaun Hudson in the 88th minute, which led to scenes of wild jubilation by the whole Thirsk team.