Kirkdale falter as reigning champions enter title race (From Gazette & Herald)

Kirkdale falter as reigning champions enter title race

RJF Homes Beckett League

AFTER drawing 1-1 at Sinnington on Saturday, leaders Kirkdale United dropped further points last night when they lost 2-0 at Kirkbymoorside reserves, who moved into third place after their second win in four days.

Daryl Rivis, after ten minutes, and Chris Hodgson, with a penalty five minutes from time, gave Kirkby the points. Both teams had a player sent off - Dave Gardiner for Kirkby and Paddy Robinson for Kirkdale

In Kirkdale's match at Sinnington, the Sinners had the best of the first half, taking an early lead through Gary Mitchell's tenth goal of the season. The home side dominated much of the first half but failed to add to their tally. The second half saw Kirkdale come back more into the game, having plenty of possession but rarely testing Sinnington keeper Dave Waind. But they gained a point when Martin Charlton scored from the rebound after his penalty was saved. Man of the match for Sinnington was shared between David and Matthew Brown.

Kirkbymoorside reserves also won last Saturday, 2-0 at Black Swan, Pickering. With games in hand on all teams above them, they could still retain their title, especially as most of their games are against teams in contention. A goal in each half, by Carl Biggins after 28 minutes, and Rob McDermid in the last minute, sealed the points. Man of the match winners were Simon Dale (Swan) and Carl Biggins (Kirkby).

Second-placed Duncombe Park beat Aislaby United 1-0 to close the gap on the leaders to just one point, with Park having two games in hand. In what was their last match of the season, Aislaby had the better of the first half. Kicking downhill, they forced several good saves from Park's keeper Andy Caine. The second half saw Park step up a gear but they left it late to grab the winner, sub Steve Garbutt scoring five minutes from time with a slight deflection off Aislaby keeper Colin Frank. Colin Tate won the Aislaby man of the match, with Colin Frank also impressing.

Amotherby and Swinton won the basement clash 2-0 at Union Rovers. Alan Goforth, with a free-kick from inside his own half which bounced over the Union Rovers keeper, put the visitors ahead. Danny Foxton added a second with ten minutes to play after reacting first after an Adam Gray free-kick had hit the bar. Rovers hit the woodwork three times and had an effort cleared off the line. Man of the match winners were Chris Cook and Stuart Young (Rovers) and Alan Goforth (Amotherby and Swinton).

Pickering Royal Oak dropped their first points of the season last night when they drew 1-1 at Ryedale Sports Club reserves. The home side took the lead with a powerful shot from Ian Horner but Oak levelled within two minutes through Daman Cox in a goalmouth scramble.

Oak became the new leaders of the second division on Saturday as they leap-frogged Thornton-le-Dale, whose game against Black Bull, Thirsk, was cancelled as Bull couldn't raise a side. Oak, who meet Thornton-le-Dale tomorrow night, won 5-0 at Bagby and Balk. Matt Wilkinson went down the right wing and crossed for Daman Cox to put Oak ahead from close range before Terry Davison out-jumped the home defence to score with an excellent header to make it 2-0. In the second half, sub Adam Hornby (2) and Mike Connell added further goals for Oak. Paul Simpson and Alex McCrae shared the Oak man of the match award, while Rob Walker impressed for Bagby and Balk.

Gillamoor beat Slingsby 3-0 at home. Gary Stamper put them ahead in the first half after superb work by Dan Broadbent. Second-half goals followed from Gillamoor man of the match James Cook and Dave Peet. Gary Stamper and Jon Cressell impressed for Gillamoor. Dominic Spiteri won the Slingsby man of the match.

Ryedale Sports Club reserves upset third-placed Ampleforth 3-1 at home. They dominated the opening 20 minutes, taking a deserved lead through a superb Phil Hutchinson header. In the second half, Nick Woodhead increased Ryedale's lead following a good move by Horner and John Reed down the left wing. Ampleforth pulled a goal back before Reed grabbed Ryedale's third after fine work by John Sherwood. Man of the match winners were Alex Thornton (Ryedale) and Andrew Breckons (Ampleforth).

Eighth-placed Coxwold beat fourth-placed Heslerton reserves 2-0 at home in another surprise result. In-form Coxwold continued their recent good run with goals from Adrian Leckenby - a first-half penalty - and sub Matthew Duckworth in the second period. Coxwold's Stuart Pierse took his side's man of the match, while Daniel Agus and Mark Featherstone shared the Heslerton reserves award.

Heslerton reserves' East Riding County FA semi-final in the Qualifying Country Cup is on Tuesday, April 8, against Driffield Wanderers at Burton Agnes (kick-off 6pm). Pickering Royal Oak play their Scarborough and District FA Junior Cup final against Edgehill reserves at Pickering Town on Wednesday, April 9 (kick-off 7.30pm).

Updated: 14:36 Wednesday, April 02, 2003