Black Swan stunned as Carlton (From Gazette & Herald)

Black Swan stunned as Carlton

Gordon Harrison Memorial Trophy first round

ONE of the biggest upsets in the recent history of the Beckett League took place last Saturday when second division Carlton United won 3-2 at the early first division pace-setters, Black Swan, Pickering.

Keith Sales, league secretary for 33 years, said it was the biggest upset he can remember.

On a day that United - formerly Old Red House and Black Bull, Thirsk - will never forget, they took the lead after 12 minutes with a 25-yard free-kick by Ian Robson. Carlton increased their lead when Ian Robson scored his second after capitalising on a mix-up in the Swan defence after 19 minutes. Swan pulled one back after 26 minutes with a fine goal from Nick Woodhead.

Early in the second half, Swan were back level when John McNeice scored his first goal for the club. Many expected Carlton to fold but they got the winner after 70 minutes through Dan Varley. Man of the match for Carlton was Ian Robson, while Dave Sturgess and Tom Marley shared the Swan award.

First division Kirkdale United cruised past Heslerton reserves 5-0 with goals scored by Ian Prendergast (2), Andrew Collier, Christopher Simpson and Philip Charlton. Man of the match winners were Gareth Drive, the Heslerton keeper, and Ian Prendergast (Kirkdale).

Another shock looked on the cards at Coxwold, when the second division side led 2-0 at half-time against Kirkbymoorside reserves, thanks to goals from Tom Kay and Daniel Jaques. But the Moorsiders hit back with goals from Andrew Ferguson (2), Nicky Hodgson and Andrew Piercy. Man of the match winners were Daniel Jaques (Coxwold) and Andrew Ferguson (Kirkby).

Ryedale Hospital Cup first round

First division Sinnington easily beat second division Gillamoor 7-2, with the Sinners' fitness paying off in the second half.

The Sinners goals were scored by Lee Mitchell, Paul Clapham (2), Paul Harland (2) and Joseph Turnbull (2). The Gillamoor marksmen were Dan Broadbent and Craig Ibbotson. Man of the match winners were Paul Harland (Sinnington) and James Blacklock (Gillamoor).

Second division Slingsby went down 3-2 at home to first division Thornton-le-Dale. The visitors took an 11th minute lead when Mike Lealman scored after a fine cross by Dwain Young. Dale's Craig Barnes and John Darlington both cleared efforts off the line but the visitors doubled their lead within a minute of the restart, with Lealman and Young combining for Uyi Ehima to score. Within a minute, Slingsby pulled a goal back thanks to a Darren Dyer penalty.

A second Ehima goal, again after good work by Lealman and Young, restored Dale's two-goal advantage, but Slingsby's Jonathan Nicholson pulled a goal back after 75 minutes - his first-ever goal for the club. Man of the match winners were Richard Chilton (Slingsby) and Uyi Ehima (Thornton-le-Dale).

First Division

Pickering Royal Oak claimed their first win at Rosedale after racing into a four-goal first-half lead. John Reed set up Daman Cox to score a fine opener. Cox then got his second after converting a Nicky Wilkinson corner. Further goals followed from John Reed, who forced over a goal-bound header by Ben Thompson, and Terry Davison.

Rosedale came alive in the second half with a brace of John Tindal goals, his first a penalty, the second a neat lob. Man of the match winners were Mathew Farrow and Adam Burkinshaw (Rosedale), and Ben Thompson (Oak).

Aislaby United won their first league match of the season, beating Duncombe Park 3-0, although the scoreline flattered them a little. Man-of-the-match Kenny Temple scored twice after Colin Tate had given Aislaby the lead with an unstoppable shot. Andrew Souter impressed for Park.

Second Division

Bagby and Balk are the new leaders after a 6-2 win at Ampleforth. They raced into a 5-0 half-time lead with goals from Tom Kendall, Paul Fountain (2), Darren Bell and Rob Walker. Stuart Winter added a sixth in the second half, while Ed Fawcett and Kevin Wright scored consolations for Ampleforth, who started and finished with just nine men due to injuries. Man of the match winners were Matt Thompson (Ampleforth) and Stuart Winter (Bagby and Balk).

Ryedale Sports Club reserves lost 3-0 at home to Union Rovers, who still have a 100pc record. Peter Tiffany put them 2-0 up before the break - his first coming after good work by Richard Abbey, his second after good interplay between Tony Finlinson and Matty Burke. Mark Jeffels added a third with a fine individual goal. Ryedale had keeper Steve Walker sent off. Union keeper Darren Atkinson made a couple of brilliant saves to keep a clean sheet. Man of the match winners were John Sherwood (Ryedale) and Darren Atkinson (Rovers).

Updated: 12:40 Wednesday, October 01, 2003