Old Malton end on sour note but MBF march on (From Gazette & Herald)

Old Malton end on sour note but MBF march on

Leeper Hare

York and District League

Premier Division

Old Malton 1, Huntington 2

The last game of the season for Old Malton was played on a rock-hard pitch. Huntington, who had not won at Old Malton for many a season, had a weakened but determined side.

Simon Cooke failed to open the scoring with just the keeper to beat but the visitors took the lead with a cracking 40-yard effort. Aaron McDermid needed lengthy treatment after crashing into the upright, when trying to save the shot. Four minutes later, a still-shaken McDermid failed to hold a low blockbuster and Old Malton were 2-0 down.

Michael Henderson had two good chances to equalise before half-time but Old Malton failed to open their account.

They should have got back into the game early in the second half, when Neil Wilford was brought down in full flow in the area but Andrew Thornton missed the penalty.

After subs Nathan Milner

and Kevin Wilkinson were brought on, the home side pulled a goal back through Phil Hill, who received the

ball from a corner and made no mistake.

An equaliser was always on the cards for Old Malton but the visitors held out, meaning last year's champions finished a creditable fourth this season.

First Division

Hammerton 2

Malton Bacon Factory 4

Factory confirmed their status as the number one side in the division with another win, despite finishing the game with only nine men.

They took a 2-0 half-time lead through Tommy Oxtoby and Nigel Allen and looked to be cruising.

But then Jamie Hopwood was controversially sent off for a professional foul. Hammerton got one back before Carl Sawdon also received his marching orders for retaliation.

Hammerton equalised with 15 minutes left but Factory showed their resilience as Nick Cass and Simon Collins ensured victory.

Reserve Section A

Old Malton 5, Kartiers 1

Old Malton got back on track in their chase for runners-up with a much-improved performance on Monday evening.

Both teams found it difficult to cope with the hard pitch and stiff cross-wind, and it was no surprise when the first half ended goaless.

But within five minutes of the restart, Old Malton blew away the opposition with a three-goal spell in as many minutes. A Wilford brace was sandwiched by a Bradshaw strike.

This effectively finished the game and allowed Lander, Preston and McGinty to be introduced for Wilkinson, Marwood and Bradshaw.

The visitors reduced the deficit on 62 minutes, when, not for the first time this season, Old Malton conceded from a corner.

The three-goal cushion was restored when Lander split the Kartiers defence with a superb ball, allowing Boyd to chip the keeper on 72 minutes. The fifth came when Wilford crossed for Cooke at the far post, who beat the defender and keeper before tapping into an empty net. Shepherd won the man of the match award.

Reserve Section B

LNER 2, Norton United 1

This could have been a glorious ending to Norton's best season but lack of concentration cost them.

They took a deserved lead before half time with Phil Sothers, in his testimonal game, finishing well. The home side pulled one back as Norton began to panic at the back. Stephen Jaques was man of the match - his constant running causing the opposition problems. LNER clinched the points with five minutes to go leaving Norton to regret missed chances.

Updated: 10:51 Thursday, April 25, 2002