Kirkdale are still kings (From Gazette & Herald)

Kirkdale are still kings

RJF Homes Beckett League - KIRKDALE United maintained their position as first division leaders in the RJF Homes Beckett League on Saturday after beating second-placed local rivals Duncombe Park 4-2 in a cracking encounter.

Despite kicking uphill, Kirkdale shocked their visitors by taking a three-goal first-half lead. David Greenlay opened the scoring with a header, following a corner by Ian Prendergast. Prendergast grabbed the second, while Martin Charlton notched the third before half-time.

The second half saw Duncombe Park play much better and, although they pulled a goal back early on when Steve Garbutt scored following a goalmouth scramble, they had left themselves a mountain to climb. Prendergast scored his second goal of the game for Kirkdale, while Duncombe Park's second goal was scored by leading marksman Liam Ogunshakin with a simple close-range tap-in following a quick free-kick by Nigel Wright. Philip Charlton was the Kirkdale man of the match. It was the first time this season that Duncombe Park have conceded four goals.

Black Swan, Pickering, moved up into third place, beating Rosedale 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored by Damon Potter after 73 minutes from six yards. The main talking point concerned Rosedale penalty king, John Tindal, who had a first-half penalty go high and wide, and a second-half last-minute penalty superbly saved by the Black Swan keeper David Sturgess. Tindall also hit the woodwork twice. These were Black Swan's first points of 2003. Man of the match winners were David Sturgess (Black Swan), Adam Burkinshaw and Ken Weatherall (both Rosedale).

Kirkbymoorside have now completed half their league games, their latest being a 3-0 victory at Union Rovers. In the first half, goals came from Nicky Hodgson and Andrew Wilkinson. Bobby Brewer added his side's third and final goal in the second half. Mark Stead and Dave Burley shared the man of the match award for Union Rovers.

Old Malton thirds completed a league double over Aislaby United with a 1-0 victory. The only goal of the game was scored by Jamie Wilkinson - his first strike for the club since his transfer last month from Union Rovers - in the 65th minute. The man of the match winner for Aislaby Utd was Will Emms, while the Old Malton award was shared between Jamie Miller, Les Swift, Glyn Brown and Darren Smith.

Sinnington stormed to a 6-2 win at Amotherby and Swinton. The Sinners' goals were scored by Gary Mitchell (2), Jo Turnbull, Rob Atkinson, Jonathan Campbell and an own goal. Richard Kerrison scored in each half for the home side. Man of the match winners were Alan Goforth (Amotherby and Swinton) and Lee Mitchell (Sinnington). The Sinners also had impressive displays from Stuart Wilkinson, Jo Turnbull and Gary Mitchell.

Pickering Royal Oak kept their unbeaten record in the league by the narrowest of margins after a hard-fought 4-3 victory at Ampleforth.

Oak took the lead through Damon Cox after a defence-splitting pass. They had further chances to increase their lead but a defensive mix-up in the Oak penalty area saw Ampleforth equalise.

The second half started well for the Oak when man-of-the-match Richard Pugh's first goal of the season put them back into the lead. But another mix-up at the back led to Ampleforth drawing level.

Then disaster struck for the Oak when defender Ady Holtby put past his own keeper. But Oak threw caution to the wind and goals from Hornby and Cox saw them clinch the win.

Gillamoor had a great 2-0 away win at Bagby and Balk. Daniel Broadbent scored with a first-half penalty. James Cook scored in the second half with a fine header, following a well-worked corner. James Cook was Gillamoor's man of the match, while Adrian Porter won the Bagby and Balk award.

Thornton-le-Dale thrashed Coxwold 5-0 - the latter not being helped by playing the first 12 minutes with only eight men. Jonathan Scoble opened the scoring after 35 minutes, following good work by Mike Lealman. Seven minutes later, roles were reversed when Lealman scored after fine work by Scoble. Second-half goals followed by Tony Wootton on 75 minutes, Scoble on 85 and Lealman two minutes later. Man of the match winners were Adam Kendrew, Jonathan Scoble (both Thornton-le-Dale) and Ian Lamb (Coxwold).

Heslerton reserves switched their home game to Black Bull, Thirsk, as they hadn't enough transport to make the journey. This did not hamper their cause as they romped to an 18-0 win, with first-half hat-tricks for Curtis Drummond and Danny Cass. Ashley Cooke and Chris Thornton also grabbed a goal each before half-time. In the second half, Wayne Pilmoor hit five, substitute Dave Hornby notched a hat-trick and Jay Smith and Jerry Fields grabbed one each. Simon Freeman was Black Bull's man of the match.

Slingsby dropped vital points when they drew 2-2 at home with Ryedale SC reserves. After a goalless first half in which the home side had the better chances and most of the play, it was Ryedale who went ahead after 55 minutes when John Reed scored with an unstoppable 30-yard shot. Slingsby hit back within five minutes when Richard Chilton equalised. Midway through the second half, Steve Hodgson fired Slingsby into the lead, but a four-yard back heel from John Reed secured Ryedale a well-deserved point. Man of the match winners were Mick Norman (Slingsby), John Reed and Phil Hutchinson (Ryedale SC).

Heslerton reserves will play Driffield Wanderers in the semi-final of the East Riding CFA Qualifying Country Cup on Tuesday, April 8 (kick-off, 6pm), at Burton Agnes. Heslington reserves play Easington Casuals in the other semi-final.

Updated: 09:36 Wednesday, March 12, 2003