Kirkby eye title and Heslerton reach final (From Gazette & Herald)

Kirkby eye title and Heslerton reach final

R J F Homes Beckett League

First Division

KIRKBYMOORSIDE reserves moved nearer to retaining the championship when they beat Black Swan, Pickering, 4-0 last night.

The Moorsiders went ahead after 15 minutes thanks to an Andrew Wilkinson header. The second half saw the Moorsiders add further goals by Tom Gill (50 mins), Dave Gardiner (53 mins) and Chris Hodgson (75 mins). Gill and Gardiner shared the man of the match award for Kirkby.

Also last night, Sinnington's improved form continued with a 7-0 home win against Old Malton thirds, thanks to goals from Lee Mitchell, Adam Turnbull, Dan Harland, Joseph Turnbull, Rob Atkinson, Paul Harland and David Wilkinson. Man of the match for the Sinners - who finished with ten men after having defender Matthew Brown sent off - was Adam Turnbull.

Last Saturday, Kirkbymoorside reserves beat a weakened Union Rovers side 7-0, five of the goals coming in the first half. The Moorsiders' goals came from man of the match Chris Hodgson (3), Andrew Ferguson (2) and Tom Gill (2). Nicky Piercy and Chris Cook shared the Rovers award.

Old Malton thirds and Duncombe Park shared the points in a goalless draw. Old Malton started the better of the two sides but Park finished the stronger, having hit the woodwork four times. Nigel Wright was Park's man of the match.

Sinnington beat Rosedale 2-0 in a closely-contested game. Paul Harland got the vital first goal for the Sinners in the first half. In the second half, Stuart Harland added the second. Man of the match winners were Paul Harland (Sinnington) and Richard Dunn (Rosedale). David Waind and Adam Turnbull also impressed for the Sinners.

Three out of the top four Victory Cup places have now been secured by Kirkdale, Duncombe Park and Kirkbymoorside reserves, with the fourth spot going to either Sinnington or Pickering, Black Swan.

Second Division

Pride of place in the second division goes to Heslerton reserves, who reached the final of the East Riding CFA Qualifying Country Cup last night when they visited Burton Agnes and beat current Driffield and District League leaders Driffield Wanderers 2-1. The final will be played on Tuesday, April 29, at a venue to be arranged.

Matty Cass gave Heslerton reserves the lead in the first half, before Driffield equalised, but Danny Cass scored to restore his side's lead before half-time with what turned out to be the winning goal.

In the league, Ampleforth couldn't raise a team to visit leaders Pickering Royal Oak. Ryedale Sports Club Reserves shocked second-placed Thornton-le-Dale by winning 3-0 at Dale. Ryedale took the lead after ten minutes when Nick Woodhead crossed for John Reed to score with a brilliant header. Five minutes later, skilful work from Shaun Hornby increased his side's lead with a neat 35-yard chip over Stuart Hill. At the end of the first half, Dale piled on the pressure, forcing six successive corners but Ryedale keeper Danny Johnson dealt with them.

The second half saw Dale step up a gear but Ryedale defended well and sub Andy Best scored a late third goal for his club. Man of the match winners were Tony Wootton and Stuart Hill (Thornton-le-Dale), while John Reed impressed for Ryedale.

Gillamoor and Coxwold shared the points in an entertaining 1-1 draw at Gillamoor. James Cook gave the home side a first-half lead after good work by Sam Robinson, Ben Gallon equalised in the second half for Coxwold. Man of the match winners were Andrew Bayes (Gillamoor) and Ian Lamb (Coxwold).

Last Thursday night, Pickering Royal Oak beat Thornton-le-Dale 5-2 in front of a large crowd in a top-of-table clash. Oak's goals were scored by Richard Pugh (2), Alex MacRae, Nick Wilkinson and the goal of the game came from Matthew Wilkinson. Jeff Quilter and Tom Atkinson scored for Dale. Paul Simpson and Alex MacRae shared the man of the match award for Oak, while Jeff Quilter and Tom Atkinson were the key men for Dale.

Updated: 15:43 Wednesday, April 09, 2003